The government has said that it will not criminalise doping after a two-year review concluded the UK ‘has an appropriate regulatory framework to tackle doping’.
Doping is now a criminal offence in Australia, France and Italy, but sports minister Tracey Crouch believes similar legislation would not help the fight in the UK.
The report involved interviews with various sports bodies and anti-doping organisations, but none supported the criminalisation of doping, suggesting that investigations into wrongdoing would only be slowed.
Speaking to the BBC, Crouch said: “The UK is one of the leading nations in the world in anti-doping with robust testing, information sharing and investigation processes in place.
“It was right that we looked into the case for criminalising doping, however the strong consensus is that it would not necessarily aid the fight against drug cheats.
“We are not complacent though, which is why there are recommendations in the review that I urge the anti-doping authorities, sports governing bodies and health organisations to consider to further strengthen our approach.”
The review concluded that long bans, and the consequent loss of earnings, were the most effective means of tackling doping.
‘We need to microchip athletes to prevent doping’ says World Olympians Association chief exec
Another of the report’s recommendations was for a review of the therapeutic use exemption (TUE) system which allow athletes to be prescribed otherwise banned substances.
Team Sky rider Geraint Thomas has previously called for authorities to “do more to take out the grey area” when it comes to TUEs.
Crouch called for a review of thresholds in the personal use of banned substances.
There was also a recommendation that UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) staff be given access to all elite sporting events in the UK without prior notice.
8 thoughts on “Doping will not become criminal offence says sports minister”
It shouldn’t be just about
It shouldn’t be just about the issue of ‘tackling doping’.
People who commit fraud [for financial gain] in other walks of life are prosecuted. Why not in sport?
Valbrona wrote:
There’s no reason why they can’t be prosecuted for fraud (those who are doing it for financial gain that is). It’s just that doping isn’t being made a separate offence.
Equally, some of the substances used in doping are controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act, so you can be prosecuted for possessing, producing or supplying them.
People don’t go to jail for
People don’t go to jail for using and selling heroin and crack. Cheating at sport is hardly jail-worthy in comparison.
Yorkshire wallet wrote:
Not all of them, certainly, but most dealers of heroin and crack do indeed go to jail. Often for long periods of time.
as the tories vision for the
as the tories vision for the uk is to turn it into an unregulated tax haven for the super rich, it simply wouldn’t do to have all it’s high profile status symbols in prison for fraud
obviously this only applies to “winners” – in sport, politics, corporations, entertainment, and of course sir paul mcartney as well – woe betide any of the defrauded taxpayers who get caught trying to turn the tables on those above by actually following their example
beezus fufoon wrote:
And so many of sport’s winners are disproportionately public schoolkids these days – not like the oiks they used to be.
davel wrote:
— davel And so many of sport’s winners are disproportionately public schoolkids these days – not like the oiks they used to be.— beezus fufoon
Alf Tupper, the Tough of the Track, never needed a TUE. He’d just sprinkle a bit more Sarsens on his fish and chips, and run through the pain.
davel wrote:
as the tories vision for the uk is to turn it into an unregulated tax haven for the super rich, it simply wouldn’t do to have all it’s high profile status symbols in prison for fraud
obviously this only applies to “winners” – in sport, politics, corporations, entertainment, and of course sir paul mcartney as well – woe betide any of the defrauded taxpayers who get caught trying to turn the tables on those above by actually following their example
— davel And so many of sport’s winners are disproportionately public schoolkids these days – not like the oiks they used to be.— beezus fufoon
Better gene pool to select from. Go to any wealthy area of the UK and it’ll be full of alpha male types, likewise if you visit Tesco in Seacroft, Leeds and you’ll see people that look like something out of a Lovecraft novel.