The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) will investigate the effects of tizanidine, a drug allegedly found in the team's hotel during the 2021 Tour de France and tested from hair samples by researchers in Strasbourg on behalf of French police. [Since experts at the Institute of Forensic Medicine in Strasbourg revealed how they created the tizanidine hair test, no further information on the French police investigation has come to light. In a research paper, they stated that they found the drug in three of seven samples taken during "a three-week international bicycle race held in France."

According to a statement from the Marseille Prosecutor's Office at the time, the investigation concerned the possible acquisition, transport, possession, or importation by members of "Team Bahrain Victorious" of banned substances or methods for use by athletes without justification.

The Bahrain Victorious team confirmed at the time that the athletes had undergone physical and hair tests, but claimed to have been damaged by reports that tizanidine had been found in hair samples.

"Neither Team Bahrain Victorious nor any of its riders have been officially or unofficially notified of the findings regarding tizanidine or any other substance," a team statement released last October said.

"The team would like to emphasize that the authors of the scientific papers to which all the allegations refer clearly point out that tizanidine is not a banned substance in sport.

However, further research will be conducted to determine why professional athletes are tempted to use tizanidine. It is suspected that athletes are using off-label drugs to relieve muscle pain.

"It is not considered a banned substance at this time. Nevertheless, in view of recent events, we have put it on the agenda of the "List Committee" in January," Olivier Laban, WADA's scientific director, reportedly told the French newspaper L'Equipe (opens in new tab).

"We don't know much about this substance because it is used for therapeutic purposes. By looking at its profile, we can legitimately question what the doping purpose is."

Rabin suggested that athletes may use tizanidine because of side effects, but warned that other side effects could affect performance. Tizanidine is designed to treat muscle spasticity, possibly due to spinal cord injury or multiple sclerosis. Side effects include dizziness, hallucinations, vomiting, and stomach pain.

"The fact that some of those who are helping athletes perform at a higher level are under pressure to find solutions and bring new ones, even though there is no scientific rationale behind them. should not be overlooked," Rabin explains.

"We want to have a 360-degree view, including possible doping use. Because we have seen that sometimes they seek side effects of drugs for doping purposes. This allows us to consider the substance. This work is currently underway. It will be discussed in the expert committee."

WADA regularly updates its list of prohibited substances and conducts research on new drugs and medicines to assist in the fight against doping in sport.

"Substances may pop up on our radar and we take them in very quickly. When it comes to tizanidine, we are entitled to ask certain questions," he concluded.