Winter Sports Researcher Michael Svensson on Bicarbonate: "Should Be Classified as Doping"

In an interview, researcher Michael Svensson expressed concerns regarding the use of bicarbonate in sports. He argues that if the guidelines of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) are followed, bicarbonate should be classified as a banned substance because it is used to enhance performance.

Svensson noted that numerous studies have demonstrated the benefits of bicarbonate during high-intensity repeated exercise, such as interval training. However, as of now, bicarbonate is not included on the list of prohibited substances. According to Åke Andrén Sandberg, a veteran in anti-doping, it is unlikely to ever be added to such a list because doing so would require drawing a line between what constitutes food and what constitutes a banned substance.

Given the controversy surrounding bicarbonate, Svensson recommends that athletes focus on improving their diet instead of using bicarbonate for performance gains. He mentions his own background as a middle-distance runner and emphasizes finding sustainable nutrition solutions over short-term doping methods.