The Real Science of Sport Podcast Banned But Allowed: Inside the World of Therapeutic Use Exemptions in Sport / Pogacar's Dominance / World Indoor Championships
Mar 25, 2026
A deep dive into therapeutic use exemptions, including why some sports show unusual TUE patterns and which drugs top the list. A cycling segment celebrating Pogacar's striking win and debating race fairness. Discussion of shorter women's stages at the Cape Epic and its rationale. Recaps from the World Indoor Championships and a surprise 50m swimming world record. Flag football upsets highlight sport specificity.
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Pogačar's Milan–San Remo Sparked Critical Debate
- Gareth and Ross debate Tadej Pogačar's dominance after Milan–San Remo, noting his ability to sustain repeated high-power efforts and recover throughout the season.
- Gareth cites a minute-long 680 W attack and Ross questions whether media adulation suppresses critical scrutiny.
TUE Counts Need A Clear Denominator
- The ITA TUE database reveals 3,528 TUE applications from 2019–2025 but lacks a clear denominator, making prevalence hard to interpret.
- Ross Tucker stresses the difference between a raw count and true prevalence, noting Olympic spot-checks show ~0.9% TUEs and the dataset needs athlete-population context.
ADHD Stimulants Are The Largest TUE Category
- ADHD medications dominate TUEs with methylphenidate showing ~949 applications and lis-dexamphetamine ~505, making stimulants the single largest class.
- Ross Tucker highlights studies showing methylphenidate reduces perceived exertion and can increase sustained power, so these TUEs raise genuine performance questions.