WADA defends salbutamol rules after criticism over Chris Froome case
Current regulations will not change unless their is a scientific basis for doing so, says anti-doping body
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has launched a staunch defence of its regulations concerning the use of salbutamol after its rules around the asthma drug were criticised in the wake of Chris Froome's salbutamol case.
One of the scientists who gave evidence in Froome's defence was Professor Ken Fitch, who helped establish WADA's rules on salbutamol and admitted last week that he had made a "terrible blunder" in the research that was used to establish those rules.
However in a lengthy "clarification" statement issued on Wednesday evening WADA defended its current regulations, insisting that "the current salbutamol threshold is at a correct level considering the scientific literature published on the substance over the past 20 years".
>>> Bradley Wiggins breaks his silence and speaks out on Chris Froome's salbutamol case
Current regulations have a "decision limit" of 1,200 nanograms of salbutamol per millilitre of urine, with an athlete giving a sample with a higher concentration of salbutamol being subject to an anti-doping investigation and having to prove that this high concentration was not as a result of exceeding the maximum permitted dosage.
"Unlike most substances, given the variables that exist with salbutamol depending on conditions specific to each case," WADA continued.
"The rule is designed to afford athletes found to have exceeded the threshold with the opportunity to prove how it has occurred and justify proper therapeutic use."
In Froome's case, the Team Sky rider and his legal and scientific teams were able to establish that his sample which was above the limit at 1,428 ng/ml of urine, when adjusted for specific gravity was not as a result of exceeding the maximum dosage.
Despite the criticism over its handling of Froome's case, WADA insisted that it had no plans to change its current rules surrounding salbutamol unless their is a scientific reason to do so.
"Each case is assessed on its own merits and this decision changes nothing about the test or the regime," the statement went on. "At present, there is no evidence that a change to the threshold or decision limit for salbutamol is required.
"WADA has noted some public comments questioning the salbutamol threshold and how it was determined. It should be pointed out that studies conducted over the past 10 years – both WADA-funded and independent – have reinforced the legitimacy of the current threshold.
"However, mindful of the complexity of some specific salbutamol cases, in particular the fact that different routes of administration cannot be distinguished by urine analysis, WADA will continue to consult experts in the field and carry out research in this area."
WADA also released data showing that only around half of the salbutamol cases that it deals with result in suspensions, with the remainder either resulting in "reprimands" or the athlete being acquitted altogether.
The anti-doping body also said that the abuse of salbutamol in road cycling was very small compared to other sports, with only four of the 57 cases involving salbutamol that it dealt with between 2013 and 2017 involving road cyclists (not including Froome's case)
Thank you for reading 10 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Henry Robertshaw began his time at Cycling Weekly working with the tech team, writing reviews, buying guides and appearing in videos advising on how to dress for the seasons. He later moved over to the news team, where his work focused on the professional peloton as well as legislation and provision for cycling. He's since moved his career in a new direction, with a role at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
-
-
Primož Roglič powers to victory on stage five of the Volta a Catalunya
Roglič extends his lead over Remco Evenepoel in the overall classification
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Wout van Aert sprints to win from an elite trio at brutal edition of E3 Saxo Classic
Mathieu van der Poel and Tadej Pogačar outpowered in finalé by Belgian
By Adam Becket • Published
-
'Rough day' for Chris Froome after crash and punctures kill best chance of victory since 2018
The 37-year-old was up the road in a solo move for over 50km at the Tour du Rwanda on Thursday
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Chris Froome highlights dangers of long Covid after battle with virus
Four-time Tour de France champion warns of cardiovascular impact and says his VO2 max took a hit after illness
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Chris Froome labels WorldTour relegation a ‘death sentence for many teams’
Four-time Tour de France winner says UCI points system needs overhaul as Israel-PremierTech face relegation from the WorldTour
By Tom Thewlis • Last updated
-
Chris Froome still holds out hope for fifth Tour de France win
Israel-Premier Tech rider says the dream is "always there"
By Tom Davidson • Published
-
Chris Froome out of Tour de France after positive Covid-19 test result
Four-time winner and third on Alpe d’Huez stage forced to abandon on stage 18
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
'I’m going to keep pushing. I don’t know what my limits are': Chris Froome climbs to best result since 2018
Israel-Premier Tech rider finished third on stage 12 of the Tour de France to Alpe d'Huez
By Adam Becket • Published
-
La Planche des Belles Filles: will today's Tour de France climb be make or break?
Primož Roglič may be looking to salvage his Tour de France by exorcising his 2020 demons on the brutal climb
By Tom Thewlis • Last updated
-
'I'm trying to get back to my old self again' — Chris Froome achieves his best result since 2019 horror crash
Chris Froome finished 11th at the Mercan Tour Classic Alpes-Maritimes on Tuesday, his best result for almost three years
By Adam Becket • Published