DOPING: Rodchenkov Anti-Doping Act introduced in Senate

The U.S. government will contribute $9.15 million to the staging of the Oregon22 World Championships

The Rodchenkov Anti-Doping Act previously introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives was introduced in the Senate by Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-Rhode Island) and Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) on 19 December.

The announcement noted that the bill is “[n]amed for Russian whistleblower Dr. Grigory Rodchenkov, the bipartisan legislation establishes criminal penalties on individuals involved in doping fraud conspiracies affecting major international competitions.”

The bill in current form would seek to:

• Establish criminal penalties – including a fine of up to $1 million and/or up to 10 years in prison – for participating in a scheme in commerce to influence a major international sport competition through prohibited substances or methods.

• Provide restitution to victims of such conspiracies.

• Protect whistleblowers from retaliation.

• Establish coordination and sharing of information with the United States Anti-Doping Agency.

Said Whitehouse, “This bill would create consequences for Russia’s cheating, and send a strong signal that Russia and other sponsors of state-directed fraud and corruption no longer enjoy impunity.”

The House bill is H.R. 6067, referred to the House Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice.