The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has banned the inhalation of xenon and argon gas, saying they could illegally enhance the performance of athletes.
Top Russian athletes were said to have used xenon at Olympic Games from Athens 2004 right up to the Sochi 2014 Winter Games.
WADA revealed that studies have shown that xenon can stimulate the production of erythropoietin (EPO) and testosterone.
In addition to banning the use of xenon and argon, WADA decided to place the substances on its prohibited list.
WADA president Craig Reedie said “the message to any athlete is loaded and clear, it's going onto the ban list.”
WADA's executive committee unanimously approved the ban, which will go into effect after a 90-day delay for national anti-doping organizations to implement the change.
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