Should WADA Ban Ozempic? Jockeys and Semaglutide Debate

Recent reports have highlighted widespread use of Ozempic among jockeys, raising questions about whether semaglutide—the active ingredient in Ozempic, Wegovy, and other GLP-1 receptor agonist medications—should be banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). In sports where maintaining a low weight is critical, such as horse racing, this weight-loss drug offers a tempting shortcut. A news article on the Betsy betting website suggested the Ozempic "craze" has jockeys across the country injecting the drug, potentially bypassing traditional methods like triple espressos, iceberg lettuce diets, and saunas.

What Is Semaglutide and How Does It Work?

Semaglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, originally developed for managing type 2 diabetes and clinical obesity. It mimics the GLP-1 hormone, which is naturally released in the gut after eating. By binding to GLP-1 receptors, semaglutide slows gastric emptying, suppresses appetite, and improves blood sugar regulation. This leads to significant weight loss—often 15-20% of body weight in clinical trials for obesity—making it appealing for athletes in weight-sensitive disciplines.

In therapeutic contexts under medical supervision, GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic reduce cardiovascular risk and support metabolic health. However, their off-label use for performance in healthy athletes introduces unique considerations, prompting WADA's scrutiny.

Reports of Ozempic Use in Jockeys and Weight-Sensitive Sports

For jockeys, where every kilogram affects performance, Ozempic represents a potential game-changer. Rule AR136 in horse racing prohibits "anoretics," or appetite suppressants, making its use questionable. Beyond jockeys, semaglutide could benefit sports like swimming, cycling, motor racing, rowing, and triathlon by improving power-to-weight ratios. Even shedding one kilo of body fat without losing power output can be decisive in endurance events.

WADA added semaglutide to its Monitoring Program in 2024, signaling that sports cannot ignore this pharmaceutical trend. The Health, Medical and Research Committee commissioned targeted research into whether semaglutide enhances performance and if a new category for weight-management substances should be created. Initial findings are under review, but GLP-1 drugs remain permitted for 2026.

WADA's Three-Pronged Test for Prohibition

Under the World Anti-Doping Code, a substance qualifies for the Prohibited List if it meets two of three criteria: potential to enhance performance, health risk to athletes, or violation of the spirit of sport. Semaglutide's case is delicately balanced.

1. Potential to Enhance Sport Performance

As of early 2026, no published peer-reviewed clinical trials directly measure GLP-1 agonists' effects on athletic performance in trained, healthy athletes—a key gap. Indirect evidence is mixed: semaglutide may improve power-to-weight ratios and offer anti-inflammatory benefits or better blood sugar control for recovery during endurance efforts.

However, up to 40% of weight loss from GLP-1 drugs is fat-free mass (muscle and lean tissue), higher than with diet and exercise alone. Side effects like nausea, gastrointestinal distress, and impaired carbohydrate-loading could reduce durability. Despite ambiguities, the "potential" standard—supported by physiological mechanisms and precedents like banned weight-loss agents—likely satisfies this criterion.

2. Health Risks to Athletes

Developed for type 2 diabetes and obesity patients, GLP-1 drugs pose clearer risks for athletes operating at low energy availability. Appetite suppression and delayed gastric emptying can induce relative energy deficiency, linked to hormonal disruption, impaired bone health, menstrual dysfunction, and weakened immunity. Female athletes face heightened vulnerability. Without medical need, these risks alone meet WADA's second criterion.

3. Violation of the Spirit of Sport

The spirit of sport encompasses ethics, fair play, health, and celebrating human limits through dedication. Semaglutide shifts weight control from disciplined diet, training, and nutrition to weekly injections, undermining the sacrifice inherent in athletic preparation. Jockeys avoid caffeine-fueled extremes or sauna dehydration; cyclists bypass meticulous periodization. Like banned diuretics for artificial weight manipulation, GLP-1 agonists challenge fair play. This criterion strengthens the prohibition case.

Clinical Context: GLP-1 Agonists Beyond Sports

While WADA deliberates, semaglutide's metabolic benefits are well-documented. It promotes sustained weight loss by targeting hunger signals in the brain and enhancing insulin secretion. In comparisons, it outperforms older appetite suppressants, with studies showing superior long-term adherence. Alternatives like phentermine (an anoretic) are already restricted in sports, highlighting consistency in anti-doping rules.

For athletes with legitimate medical needs (e.g., obesity-related conditions), supervised use may be permissible via Therapeutic Use Exemptions (TUEs). Always consult a sports physician to weigh benefits against risks like gastrointestinal issues or muscle loss.

Safety Considerations and Side Effects

Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation, which could impair training or competition. Long-term concerns involve lean mass loss and energy deficiency syndromes. Athletes using GLP-1s therapeutically should monitor symptoms—tools like Shotlee can help track side effects, weight changes, and medication schedules for better management.

Key Takeaways: What This Means for Athletes and Sports

• Performance Ambiguity: Intuitive benefits in weight-sensitive sports, but muscle loss and side effects temper advantages.
• Health Priority: Risks of energy deficiency make unsupervised use dangerous, especially for elite competitors.
• Imminent Ban? With two criteria likely met and spirit of sport concerns, prohibition—particularly in weight-class sports—seems probable soon.
• Actionable Advice: Discuss with doctors before use; prioritize natural weight management through nutrition and training.

Conclusion

The question isn't if semaglutide will join WADA's Prohibited List, but when—especially in weight-sensitive sports. Jockeys' reported Ozempic use underscores the urgency, as the drug's pharmacological ease challenges sport's core values. Until clarity emerges, athletes should focus on sustainable, ethical preparation to uphold fair play and health.