German dopers could face three years in jail

A new anti-doping law came into effect in Germany on Friday. The new legislation means that any German athletes who test positive for performance-enhancing substances could now face a three-year prison sentence.

Around 7,000 professional athletes who are covered by the German national testing programme will be affected by the new law – although it does not extend to amateur athletes. Inside The Games reports that those who test positive or are found guilty of possession of banned substance will face prison terms of up to three years, while those who provide them with substances can be jailed for up to 10 years.

"In view of the current situation in Russia, the problem doesn't seem to be getting smaller, but seems to be growing," said Germany's Justice Minister, Heiko Maas.

Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere agreed that the measures were ‘overdue’. "I am convinced that we can tackle doping in sport and the criminal structures behind it more effectively with this anti-doping law. It is a clear commitment of Germany for clean and fair sport," he said.

Sir Craig Reedie, president of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), has previously said that athletes caught using performance-enhancing drugs should be sanctioned under anti-doping rules established by sporting bodies and not through the criminal law.

The German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) had also expressed reservations but in a statement appeared to have changed its position: "It has several improvements that strengthen the joint effort of the state and sport's fight against doping," it said.

It is also being reported that the Japanese government are putting together a law to actively discourage athletes from doping as the country prepares for the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Tokyo. A panel of legal and medical professionals will discuss whether breaches should result in criminal charges.