Donald Trump Signs Anti-Doping Act Into Law

U.S. President Donald Trump signed into law on Friday a bill
that lets U.S. justice officials pursue criminal penalties against
those involved in doping conspiracies at international events
involving American athletes, sponsors or broadcasters.

The Rodchenkov Act, named after the whistleblower Grigory
Rodchenkov who helped expose Russia’s state-sponsored doping,
empowers prosecutors to seek fines of up to $1 million and jail
terms of up to 10 years, as well restitution to victims.

“(The law gives) the Department of Justice a powerful and unique
set of tools to eradicate doping fraud and related criminal
activities from international competitions,” said Rodchenkov’s
lawyer Jim Walden, according to Inside the Games.

It was now up to the justice department to develop a robust
programme, cooperating with the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency and
international law enforcement, to bring the guilty to justice and
create zero tolerance for doping in sports, he added.

“Dopings should be on clear notice: This is a new sheriff in
town, so cheat at your own peril.”

The bill, passed unopposed by the U.S. Senate last month, was
opposed by the International Olympic Committee, who have questioned
why American professional and college athletes are exempt.

The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) said there was no need to
include U.S. professional and college sports in the legislation as
existing law allows their prosecution.

The World Anti-Doping Agency has also expressed concerns over
the bill, saying it will destabilise the global anti-doping effort
by extending U.S. jurisdiction beyond its own borders.

“No nation has ever before asserted criminal jurisdiction over
doping offences that occurred outside its national borders – and
for good reason,” the agency said last month when the bill passed
the Senate.

“WADA remains concerned that by unilaterally exerting U.S.
criminal jurisdiction over all global doping activity, the Act will
likely undermine clean sport by jeopardising critical partnerships
and cooperation between nations.”

U.S. President Donald Trump signed into law on Friday a bill
that lets U.S. justice officials pursue criminal penalties against
those involved in doping conspiracies at international events
involving American athletes, sponsors or broadcasters.

The Rodchenkov Act, named after the whistleblower Grigory
Rodchenkov who helped expose Russia’s state-sponsored doping,
empowers prosecutors to seek fines of up to $1 million and jail
terms of up to 10 years, as well restitution to victims.

“(The law gives) the Department of Justice a powerful and unique
set of tools to eradicate doping fraud and related criminal
activities from international competitions,” said Rodchenkov’s
lawyer Jim Walden, according to Inside the Games.

It was now up to the justice department to develop a robust
programme, cooperating with the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency and
international law enforcement, to bring the guilty to justice and
create zero tolerance for doping in sports, he added.

“Dopings should be on clear notice: This is a new sheriff in
town, so cheat at your own peril.”

The bill, passed unopposed by the U.S. Senate last month, was
opposed by the International Olympic Committee, who have questioned
why American professional and college athletes are exempt.

The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) said there was no need to
include U.S. professional and college sports in the legislation as
existing law allows their prosecution.

The World Anti-Doping Agency has also expressed concerns over
the bill, saying it will destabilise the global anti-doping effort
by extending U.S. jurisdiction beyond its own borders.

“No nation has ever before asserted criminal jurisdiction over
doping offences that occurred outside its national borders – and
for good reason,” the agency said last month when the bill passed
the Senate.

“WADA remains concerned that by unilaterally exerting U.S.
criminal jurisdiction over all global doping activity, the Act will
likely undermine clean sport by jeopardising critical partnerships
and cooperation between nations.”