President Donald Trump signed a bill into law that lets United States justice officials enforce criminal penalties against those involved in doping at international events involving American athletes, broadcasters, or sponsors.
The Rodchenkov Act, named after the whistleblower who helped to expose Russia’s state-sponsored doping, allows prosecutors to seek fines of up to $1 million and jail time of up to 10 years, as well as restitution to victims.
According to Rodchenkov’s lawyer, “(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.”
It will now be up to the Justice Department, along with the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency and international law enforcement, to develop a program to bring the guilty to justice and enforce zero tolerance for doping in sports.
The unopposed bill passed last month was criticized by the International Olympic Committee who questioned the exemption of American professional and college athletes.
The USADA said there was no need to include U.S. professional and college sports in the legislation as there already exists a law allowing their prosecution.
The World Anti-Doping Agency also raised concerns about the bill destabilizing the global anti-doping effort by expanding U.S. jurisdiction beyond its borders.
The agency assured that “No nation has ever before asserted criminal jurisdiction over doping offenses that occurred outside its national borders – and for good reason.”
“WADA remains concerned that by unilaterally exerting U.S. criminal jurisdiction over all global doping activity, the Act will likely undermine clean sport by jeopardizing critical partnership and cooperation between nations,” they explained.
