Medical Matters to be attended to prior to the 2008 Olympic Games
MEDICAL MATTERS TO BE ATTENDED TO PRIOR TO THE 2008 OLYMPIC GAMES
As a prospective Team member of the 2008 Australian Olympic Team, you need to be aware of the following medical processes. Please read the following carefully and ensure that you follow the advice provided. If you have any questions, please direct these to Dr Judith May (mobile:0409 232 404, email: may@sportsmedact.com.au).
MAKE YOURSELF FAMILIAR WITH THE FOLLOWING WEBSITES:
ASADA: www.asada.gov.au
WADA: www.wada-ama.org/en/
IOC Medical Commission: www.olympic.org/uk/organisation/commissions/medical
ATUEs and TUEs
Athletes, like all others, may have illnesses or conditions that require them to take particular medications. If the medication an athlete is required to take to treat an illness or condition happens to fall under the Prohibited List, an Abbreviated Therapeutic Use Exemption (ATUE) or Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) may give that athlete the authorisation to take the needed medicine. Please refer to the WADA website for the full Prohibited List and information relating to ATUEs and TUEs: www.wada-ama.org/en/
Asthma Process
Asthma medication, in particular bronchodilators such as Ventolin and Bricanyl, require specific documentation for use during the Olympic Games. For these medications the International Olympic Committee (IOC) require the athlete to provide formal evidence of respiratory function testing (satisfying IOC requirements). The process is outlined on the IOC Medical Commission website (www.olympic.org/uk/organisation/commissions/medical).
Athletes who were tested and provided with permission for use of asthma medication in Athens will be eligible to use them in Beijing and will not be required to undertaken any other testing. It is advisable that athletes who need to undergo respiratory function testing should do so early. A test will be valid for a period of 4 years.
It is important to consider that air quality and climate conditions in Beijing may increase the potential for bronchial irritation, and if in doubt, an application for IOC approval should be submitted.
In the 3 months prior to the Games, copies of ATUEs and TUEs issued for each athlete will be consolidated by AISL with the assistance of Dr Judith May and then forwarded to the AOC.
Dr Karen Holzer (Ph: 03 9427 0366) is available to advise on the mechanics of the asthma notification process.
Supplements
Each athlete is responsible for what is found in drug tests. The individual is responsible for what enters their body either intentionally or otherwise. There is a small but real risk that some supplements are contaminated and may result in a "positive" drug test. Athletes should follow the Supplement Programs and guidelines provided by the State Institutes and Academies of Sport or the Australian Institute of Sport (www.ais.org.au/nutrition/supplements.asp) and discuss all supplement use with the Team Physician (Dr Judith May) or ASADA. If there is any doubt, the supplement should be avoided.
Immunisation Program
Details relating to suggested immunisations for China, the process for review of each individual's vaccination status, and the mechanisms to implement the AOC's immunisation program have been addressed in separate documentation (this documentation should have been received in the mail recently).
Please take the advice provided and ensure the recommended vaccinations are up-to-date. Any questions should be directed to Dr Judith May.
Acclimatisation
From an Australian winter, competition at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing will occur in a Northern summer with high humidity. Acclimatisation prior to Beijing is critical. Appropriate acclimatisation, hydration and recovery are critical to gain and maintain an edge over the duration of an event and need to be well-practised leading into the 2008 Olympic Games.
Please seek any necessary advice relating to hydration management and recovery practices from Dr Judith May.
Athlete Whereabouts Information
Athletes who have been identified for inclusion in ASADA's Registered Testing Pool (RTP) are required to provide accurate and timely Athlete Whereabouts Information directly to ASADA. Each athlete in ASADA's RTP will be notified in writing, of his or her inclusion in the RTP and the specific Athlete Whereabouts Information requirements and consequences for non-compliance will be outlined in this communication.
An athlete's inclusion in the RTP is based on a number of factors related to the athlete, level of competition, sport and ASADA's anti-doping program requirements. ASADA's RTP is constantly reviewed and updated and athletes can be notified for inclusion or removal on to the RTP at any time.
All athletes in ASADA's RTP must submit Athlete Whereabouts Information directly to ASADA in accordance with ASADA's requirements, until the athlete is informed otherwise.
Athletes included on ASADA's Registered Testing Pool (RTP) are required to provide Athlete Whereabouts Information on a quarterly basis (i.e. every three months) and to update this information, as required, to maintain its accuracy.
The AOC is required by the IOC to provide detailed whereabouts information for each Team member for the period immediately prior to the Olympic Games.
Please ensure you maintain accurate records of your whereabouts with ASADA. Refer to ASADA's website for further information.
Medications
Athletes should be aware that it is difficult to obtain medications in China. Dr Judith May will ensure she has a good supply of antibiotics, analgesics, etc, for the 2007 visit to Beijing. However, if there is a particular medication that is usually used (eg: an anti-inflammatory), details need to be provided to Judith before leaving for Beijing so that she can add this to her stock of medications.
Please note that for the 2008 Olympic Games, advice of medications will need to be provided to the AOC and Team medical staff to ensure that adequate stocks of medications are freighted to Beijing for the Australian Team.