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The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has officially banned the use of bottled or canned oxygen in training and competition.

According to WADA guidelines, bottled or canned oxygen in considered a Prohibited Method under Section M1: Enhancement of oxygen transfer: "Artificially enhancing the uptake, transport or delivery of oxygen is prohibited." Based on this section, any device that supplies oxygen and fulfills any of these criteria is a prohibited method in sport.

By referring to Section M1, WADA is evaluating bottled or canned oxygen from the same perspective as potentially dangerous oxygen delivering methods like blood doping, modified haemoglobin products, efaproxiral (RSR13) and perfluorocarbons. This comparison is VERY unreasonable from a risk assessment standpoint. Oxygen has been used safely in medical treatments for a long time, whereas the other methods specifically cited under this ruling are known to have potentially serious side effects.

Considering the true nature of recreational canned oxygen, it seems very surprising that WADA would consider it a banned substance or method:

1). It is completely safe and not considered a drug by FDA guidelines.

2). There is no documented scientific research to indicate that it enhances athletic performance.

3). It would not violate the true "spirit of sport" because it is publicly available, affordable, and any athlete can obtain it easily.

4). Since there is no way to test for it, athletes who defy this ruling would never get caught.

Don't these facts contradict the principles we expect WADA to consider regarding the banning of a substance or method?

Most people find this ruling VERY difficult to accept, especially since the National Football League (NFL), one of the largest and most respected sports organizations in the world, allows its players to PUBLICLY use oxygen on the sidelines during games without restriction, as was clearly demonstrated in this year's Super Bowl.

Something is definitely amiss with WADA's decision making process here. Either that, or they have grown in scale to the point where they do not feel they need to justify their actions to the athletes they are supposed to be protecting and governing.

For a full, more detailed version of this press release, go to: www.oxygen4energy.com/wada-bans-oxygen.html

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