What are the medical rules on asthma inhalers, injuries and strapping?
Rule- Australia
- Little Athletics
- Standard Rules for Competition
- Under 6-Under 17
- 2026/27
- Parents
The standard rules (which replace the World Athletics medical rule) say:
- Inhalers: asthmatics should use their inhalers before the event if necessary and may take them to the event site. An inhaler may be carried during the event but must not be held in the hand.
- Inhaler used after the event has started: the athlete must withdraw immediately and may not return to that event.
- Further asthma attack: an athlete who returns to competition after being removed and suffers another attack is removed from that and all other events and must seek medical treatment.
- Medical Officer: on the Medical Officer's advice an athlete may be removed from an event for heat stress, an asthma attack or any other condition posing a serious risk of injury. If the Medical Officer advises further treatment is needed or that the athlete should not compete further, the athlete is withdrawn. Results up to that point remain.
- Pre-existing injury: an athlete wishing to compete with a known pre-existing injury must obtain written confirmation from a qualified medical professional that participation poses no additional risk to the athlete, other competitors or volunteers. Failure to comply may make the athlete ineligible to compete.
- Strapping, tape and braces used as preventative measures do not trigger the pre-existing injury rule.
Added 24 Oct 2026