Substance abuse

When one thinks of drug use in sport, then disciplines such as cycling or athletics are usually the ones that spring to mind first.  Motorsport doesn’t rank very highly on the list of disciplines associated with substance abuse, and doping scandals tend to be a relative rare occurrence.  In a sport where a lot comes down to machinery rather than physicality, the impact of performance enhancing drugs probably has a significantly smaller influence than in others.

When athletes decide to take performance enhancing drugs, they usually put only one person in danger, and that is themselves.  However, that is not the case in motorsport and competitors should be well aware of the potential consequences of drug use that goes wrong on the track.  In karting as in other sports, anti-doping is essential.  And in a sense, it is perhaps even more crucial in our sport, because it is not only a matter of health, but also a question of safety.  By using any substance that can alter judgement and reactions, a Competitor may easily put not only themselves in danger, but also influence the safety of other Competitors, Marshals, and the like.

 

Abbreviations used

FIA           Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile

FIM           Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme

MSA          Motorsport South Africa

SAIDS      South African Institute for Drug-free Sport

TUE           Therapeutic Use Exemption

WADA       World Anti-Doping Association

 

Medicines and drugs

Motorsport requires physical strength, physical as well as mental endurance, focus and concentration, plus quick reaction times from its Competitors – and all of these areas can be enhanced with the right drug.  All Competitors are solely responsible for any banned substance they use, attempt to use, or which is found in their system, regardless of how it got there and whether or not there was an intention to circumvent the rules.  Banned substances a.k.a. prohibited substances, can be found in any of the following categories.

  • Prescribed medicines

  • Over-the-counter medicines

  • Recreational drugs

  • Performance-enhancing drugs.

If you are unsure about any medicines or substances you are taking, then you need to consult the list of prohibited substances that, can be found via a download on the MSA or WADA websites.  Note that the list is updated on an annual basis, so you need to consult the latest edition.

 

Therapeutic Use Exemption

Athletes, like all people, may have an illnesses or condition that requires them to take particular medications.  If such medication happens to fall under the Prohibited List, then a TUE may give that person the authorization to take the required medicine and still compete legally.  After making an application to SAIDS, all TUE’s issued by them are granted in accordance with an international standard that outlines the conditions, responsibilities, and how the TUE process works.  Note that certain criteria need to be fulfilled before a TUE can be granted.

This approach may, as an example, allow a Competitor who suffers from asthma to use an inhaler containing a prohibited substance such as salbutamol (marketed as Ventolin) which is regarded as a stimulant.  Don’t adopt the simplistic approach of ‘I don’t smoke weed, so I’m OK’.  If you are taking any medication, either regularly or on a sporadic basis, and are competing at a National or higher level, then you need to check the prohibited list.  If necessary, apply for a TUE either in advance or retro-actively.  Note that you should have a TUE in place at least 7-days prior to competing in an event.

 

MSA’s approach

As outlined in the introduction, the reasons stated are why the FIA committed itself to preventing and fighting doping.  It is also why it became a signatory to the World Anti-Doping Code in December 2010, thus joining other major international sporting federations.  MSA, being aligned to the FIA, has also adopted the same policies and have outlined their stance in Appendix L of the GCR’s.  In short, the principles followed are as outlined in the extract below from Appendix L.

 Using drugs to enhance performance is against the rules laid down by the governing bodies of most recognized sports.  It damages the image and value of the sport, and contravenes the fundamental principles of sportsmanship and fair competition.

It is the responsibility of all competitors and officials to ensure at all times that they are aware of what they put into their bodies.  No exceptions to the rules will be tolerated.

i) MSA will not condone the use of any substance identified on the WADA and/or any other prohibited list, unless a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) has been issued by SAIDS and/or the relevant International Controlling body.

ii) Full details of doping regulations are contained in the MSA Anti-Doping Code which is contained elsewhere in this book.

iii) Sporting commissions are requested to consult with the Medical Panel (through the Medical Coordinator and Operations Manager) with a view to regular anti-doping testing and initiating doping prevention programmes in their individual categories.

iv) Suspicion of competitors using prohibited substances should be communicated to the Medical Coordinator at MSA – medical@motorsport.co.za

v) Any competitor found guilty of a doping offence will face penalties in line with WADA and/or SAIDS.

vi) A link to the WADA and SAIDS websites is available via the MSA Website.

vii) It is important to note that SAIDS can conduct Anti-doping tests at any time without advising MSA.

viii) Should a competitor not be sure of a substance they are taking it is their responsibility to contact MSA and/or the relevant authorities to confirm whether the substance is acceptable or not.  Ignorance of the rules is not an excuse, all competitors are responsible for what goes into their bodies.


Consequences

Be aware that testing has previously been conducted by MSA in karting on a few occasions at National level, so don’t be lured into a situation of complacency – luckily no offenders were found amongst those tested.  Any Competitor found guilty of doping can expect a ban from all sport for a period of time.  This includes competing, officiating, training and assisting another Competitor.  Also, you may lose any previous medals, titles and records.

That of course is not to say that it doesn’t occur either locally or overseas.  One case that comes to mind occurred in 2010 and involved a 12-year old Polish competitor who tested positive for a banned stimulant after competing at an event in Germany.  It’s not an isolated case either with the latest reported offence being one in 2018 during a National event held in the UK.


Emile McGregor - MSA Technical Consultant