Management of allergic Olympic athletes

Area of Science:

• Sports Medicine
• Allergy and Immunology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Twenty percent of Australian Olympic athletes report allergic disorders.
• Sympathomimetic drugs, except certain beta 2-agonists, are banned by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
• Accidental use of banned sympathomimetics is a risk due to their availability in non-prescription combination preparations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the challenges faced by allergic athletes in the Olympics.
• To discuss the implications of the IOC's ban on sympathomimetic drugs.
• To recommend a review of the ban on vasoconstrictor agents for allergic competitors.

Main Methods:

• Review of IOC anti-doping regulations.
• Analysis of medication availability and common usage in sports.
• Case example of an athlete disqualified for using a banned substance.

Main Results:

• Asthmatic athletes have consistently won medals, indicating effective management is possible.
• Sympathomimetic vasoconstrictors remain banned, disadvantaging athletes with allergic rhinitis and sinusitis.
• Adverse air quality during the Olympics would disproportionately affect allergic competitors.

Conclusions:

• Physicians must ensure athletes do not violate anti-doping rules.
• Current preventive and therapeutic options allow asthmatics to compete with minimal disadvantage.
• The IOC Medical Commission should consult experts to review the ban on vasoconstrictor agents.