Why it is time India criminalised doping in sports | Sports News,The Indian Express

In India, it is high time that such a strict law is put in place. Scratch the surface to find out ugly underbelly of Indian sports. In the euphoria of Neeraj Chopra winning a bronze medal at the World Championships, the country's first in nearly two decades, it is easy to be blind to the dirt around the track and field arena.

Earlier this week, the Lok Sabha passed the Anti-Doping Bill. Coming in the backdrop of a number of high-profile Indian athletes failing dope tests, it was seen as a timely intervention by the parliamentarians.

The Bill gives powers to anti-doping watchdogs to search and seize. However, the initial suggestions of criminalising doping, including jail terms for athletes involved in a syndicate and coaches or support staff who supply drugs to junior athletes, has not found its way into the Bill.

Putting the fear of the law in the hearts of those willing to take shortcuts to success is a radical move adopted by a handful of countries. Germany had introduced a law six years ago to jail dope cheats. But for a German sports doctor, a mastermind of sorts who introduced blood doping among skiers and cyclists, no athlete went behind bars for using prohibited performance-enhancing substances.

Kenya too criminalised doping offences after its image as a running hub was tarnished by drug cheats. Florence Jepkosgei Chepsoi, a marathon runner, was asked to do one year of community service for lying at a hearing and forging hospital documents.

In India, it is high time that such a strict law is put in place. Scratch the surface to find out ugly underbelly of Indian sports. In the euphoria of Neeraj Chopra winning a bronze medal at the World Championships, the country’s first in nearly two decades, it is easy to be blind to the dirt around the track and field arena.

https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/why-it-is-time-india-criminalised-doping-in-sports-8062153/

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