Russian Parliament Okays Law Making Doping Criminal Offence

Russian parliament okays law making doping criminal offence

MOSCOW, Nov 3 (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 03rd Nov, 2016 ) : Russia's parliament on Thursday approved legislation that includes prison terms for coaches who force athletes to use banned performance-enhancing drugs, as the country tries to clean up its image.

The move comes after evidence of state-sponsored doping in sports saw Russia's track-and-field Olympics team and entire Paralympics squad banned from the Rio Games this summer. The law -- which still needs to be approved by the senate and President Vladimir Putin to come into force -- includes a one-year jail term for officials who incite a minor to dope or use violence or threats to force an athlete to take illegal drugs.

Russia is struggling to mend the damage to its battered reputation after reports from the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) lifted the lid on systemic cheating in the country.