the essential
The French Anti-Doping Agency published its activity report for the year 2023 this Thursday, June 13.
Is rugby one of the sports most affected by doping in France? The French Anti-Doping Agency (AFLD) unveiled this Thursday, June 13, its activity report for the year 2023 listing the 12,044 samples taken.
In this report, three sports stand out in terms of the number of adverse analytical findings: MMA, rugby and cycling. With more than 24 abnormal results for 218 samples, the state of doping in the MMA is staggering with one sample in ten containing doping products. “It’s quite alarming. We can no longer leave MMA fighters without education on the subject” recognizes Jérémie Roubin, secretary general of the AFLD.
Rugby union is very high in the ranking, in second position, with 15 abnormal results. We must add four more for the thirteen players. But this figure must be put into perspective with the number of samples taken (2,354) which makes it the most controlled sport in France. The positive control rate, of 0.64%, is thus ten times lower than that of MMA (11%).
“It’s complicated to make a simple link between rugby and a particular substance”
The presence of doping in rugby can be explained by several factors. First there is the use of cocaine, which has been widely consumed in recent years, both at amateur and professional levels. “But that doesn’t mean that there is only this substance. It’s complicated to make a simple link between rugby and a particular substance” explains Jérémie Roubin in L’Équipe.
Taking food supplements containing doping products can also be one of the explanations for the presence of doping in rugby. Just like non-compliance with medical prescriptions giving the right to a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE). This allows, among other things, to be able to take substances, normally reported as potentially doping, for medical purposes.
