WADA adds anti-ischemic drug to banned list

World-Anti-Doping-Agency;-Craig-Reedie

President of the World Anti-Doping Agency Craig Reedie (Joshua Paul/AP)

MONTREAL — The World Anti-Doping Agency has added an anti-ischemic drug to its list of banned substances.

WADA says meldonium, also known as mildronate, was included in the updated list because of "evidence of its use by athletes with the intention of enhancing performance."

Developed in Latvia, meldonium has been used to treat ischemia, or lack of blood flow. Meldonium had previously been on WADA’s list of drugs to be monitored.

WADA also says the international motorcycling federation, FIM, has been removed from the list of sports prohibiting alcohol as a doping agent. It says FIM "will address the use of alcohol using their own regulations."

WADA says caffeine and nicotine were placed on the list of stimulants to be monitored in competition.

The updated list, approved on Sept. 16, comes into force on Jan. 1.

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