New Rules Around Glucocorticoid (Cortisone) Injections In-Competition

Below is an update regarding the changes implemented by Sport Integrity Australia around Glucocorticoid (cortisone) injections in-competition.

Official

We advise you that from 1 January 2022, all Glucocorticoid (GC), “cortisone”, injections will be prohibited in-competition. This is a new ruling, making their classification consistent with oral GC preparations.

GC injections are permitted out of competition, however, most commonly used GCs have a wash-out (clearance from the body) period of between three and five days while some types of GCs can stay in a person’s system for up to 60 days for intra-muscular injection. This means that some injections given before competition can be detected in an in-competition sample.

If an athlete requires a GC injection for legitimate medical purposes, they’ll need to check the Sport Integrity App for their Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) requirements and keep good medical records to enable a TUE application. Please remind your athletes to always discuss any treatment with their doctor and check any medications they are taking on GlobalDRO. 

We understand this is a considerable change for some athletes and sports. To support you and your athletes in understanding these changes, Sport Integrity Australia will be offering sessions to discuss the changes and will be hosting a webinar in November. Please let us know if you are interested in attending.

There will also be several other opportunities to gain further information about these changes, including:

• SMA Symposium, Saturday 9th October
• ACSEP annual scientific conference (online), December 3rd and 4th    
• High Performance Sport Medical Officers Group (AIS CMO meeting)

Please find attached factsheets and posters that further explain these new rules. These can be shared with your stakeholders.

To find out more you can download the Sport Integrity App, check their website, email them at asdmac@sportintegrity.gov.au or call 13 000 27232.