Are weight-loss drugs becoming a problem in elite sports?

August 10, 2026

Weight-loss drugs like semaglutide (Ozempic/Wegovy) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro/Zepbound) are increasingly being used by some elite athletes without a medical need, raising concerns about performance effects, health risks, and whether they should be banned.theatlantic+2

A 2026 survey of 114 physicians working with high-level athletes across 38 countries found that one in 10 were aware of athletes using these GLP‑1 drugs for non-medical reasons, and 44% believed WADA should prohibit them. While the drugs can drive substantial weight loss, there’s no published evidence they make already-lean, highly trained runners faster; instead, they risk reducing lean muscle mass and suppressing appetite, which can lead to low energy availability and Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED‑S), a known issue in endurance disciplines.theatlantic+2

GLP‑1 drugs are not currently on WADA’s Prohibited List, but semaglutide has been on the Monitoring Program since 2024, and both semaglutide and tirzepatide markers are being tracked in and out of competition in 2026 as WADA studies better detection methods. Running Magazine