Discussion: Asthma Inhaler = Cheating?

This article says not.
http://www.wired.com/playbook/2010/12/salbutamol-d...

Why would it ever be cheating if you have asthma? Interesting though: "The researchers found that salbutamol, even in extremely high doses, did not give elite athletes any performance boost. Indeed, there was absolutely no difference in lung function or endurance ability"

Salbutamol has been allowed throughout this year. There has been doubt that normal inhaler use has given any real advantages to the athlete.

Glad to see this issue put to rest (I hope), not that I'll be competing on an elite Olympic level anytime soon! Interestingly the study made no mention of albuterol's possible side effects such as high heart rate and jitteriness. I can't imagine that in high doses, that wouldn't effect an elite athlete's performance.

There has been some trash-talking in XC ski circles as well. Justyna Kowalczyk of Poland regularly accuses Marit Björgen of cheating when using her approved asthma medication.