Last November, the Budenstag, the German government’s lower house, along with the Bundesrat, its second chamber, passed significant anti-doping legislation. The law passed at the time actually criminalized athletic doping in the form of jail sentencing for guilty parties.
Under the law, athletes testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs or are found guilty of possession of such substances can face prison terms of up to 3 years. Additionally, suppliers of the substances can face up to 10 years in jail themselves.
With the law now in effect in Germany, Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere says “I am convinced that we can tackle doping in sport and the criminal structures behind it more effectively with this anti-doping law.” De Maiziere sees the action as “a clear commitment of Germany for clean and fair sport.”
Although the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) originally was opposed to the new law, citing infringement on the organization’s independence, they now appear to have curbed their disapproval. Of the law now implemented, the DOSB conveyed in a statement, “It has several improvements that strengthen the joint effort of the state and sport’s fight against doping.”
Italy, France and Spain are among those countries already having passed similar legislation. Japan just announced today that its government will also be considering whether athletes testing positive and/or performance-enhancing drug suppliers would face criminal charges.
You can read the original announcement proposing the German legislation here.
A step in the right direction. Great job Germany.
It’s interesting that this happened in a country which, despite a terrible doping history, hasn’t had any recent positive tests in aquatics that I can think of.