The Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) will ban any athlete selected for its Rio 2016 Olympic Games team from using certain ‘hypnotic’ medicines, even though none of them feature on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) Prohibited List. The ban comprises Nitrazepam (including but not restricted to the brand name ‘Mogadon’), Flunitrazepam (including but not restricted to the brand name ‘Rohypnol’) and Zolpidem (including but not restricted to the brand name ‘Stilnox’). All three drugs can be used to treat insomnia.

“By introducing the ban from the date of selection we are giving any athlete taking hypnotic medications time to wean themselves off the drug long before they enter the Village in Rio”, said Fiona de Jong, Chief Executive Officer of the AOC, in a statement. “The prohibition now commences from the date of selection of each athlete. This will vary depending on the sport, but there should be no weaning off period immediately prior to the Games. Instead we are recommending athletes adopt healthy sleep strategies, relaxation and meditation techniques and other drug-free approaches in the lead up to Rio.”

Shortly before the London 2012 Olympic Games, six Australian swimmers were found to have used Stilnox after the AOC introduced a ban two weeks before the Games. The AOC’s ban faced criticism for not introducing the ban early enough to allow athletes using Stilnox to find an alternative. Under the AOC’s 2016 Team Agreement, the AOC has the right to search any bags or other possessions that team members bring into the Olympic Village.