Russia approves new anti-doping measures

In an attempt to rehabilitate Russia’s reputation after many scandals involving performance-enhancing drugs, the government has implemented a plan to take back government grants and prize money from athletes who fail drug tests after competing in their events.

In the past, several Russian athletes have kept large amounts of prize money even after found guilty of doping.

Prime Minister, Dmitry Medvedev has ordered the Russian Sports Ministry and all national sports federations to seize prize money, property, and other income from athletes, doctors, and coaches implicated in doping cases. Medvedev gave no details on how the seizures would take place.

As well as prize money, Russian athletes often receive large financial rewards from the government. Many have kept these, even after lifetime bans for using drugs during competitions.

Many international sporting events have regulations that mandate athletes to return prize money when disqualified for failing a drug test. But it has been difficult for organisations to enforce these rules. Threatening to impose further sanctions to force repayment has no impact on athletes who face a lifetime ban or have retired.

Athletes awarded the titles vacated by Russians disqualified for drug use have complained that they must often wait for years to receive their prize money, as many international sporting events require the disqualified athletes to return their prize money before the new title holders receive any money.

The new anti-doping measures also prevent athletes failing drug tests from employment as government sports official or coaches.