Rio Olympics: WADA raises maximum level of cannabis in blood

In the run-up to the Olympic Games, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has decided to raise the maximum permitted THC level in blood. While cannabis is still considered a doping substance, WADA is surprisingly lenient: it will not take into account residues resulting from consumption of cannabis. prior to the games.

To this end, the AMA has increased the maximum authorized threshold of 15 à 150 nanograms per milliliter. This increase will make it possible to set aside athletes who may have consumed cannabis before the Games. At the London 2012 Olympic Games, 4 athletes tested positive for cannabis, even though the tests had been carried out before the start of the competition.

According to WADA spokesman Ben Nichols: «This new limit will allow us to differentiate between those who consumed during the competition and those who consumed in the days and weeks leading up to the Games.»

Although somewhat late in coming, the AMA is exploring a new avenue here. This increase in level would make it possible to reduce 90 % positive controls and isolate the real cheaters.

Cannabis will, however, remain a doping substance. According to the Olympic Committee, cannabis still fulfils the 3 essential factors of an illicit substance: it enhances performance, represents a potential danger to the athlete's health and offends the spirit of sport.

Out of competition, some athletes use cannabis for its muscle-relaxing properties or as an analgesic to reduce muscle pain. Former American athletes regularly ask for remove cannabis from the list of doping substances. «It's hard to imagine cannabis on the same footing as other substances - it's still a moral issue,» says Ben Nichols.

Great champions such as Michael Phelps and Usain Bolt have admitted to using cannabis. In fact, it cost Michael Phelps a 6-month suspension (that and a few other antics).

Théo Caillart