The German government will unveil a draft bill today that will see athletes, coaches and managers facing jail time and stiff fines for doping offences.
If the bill is passed in parliament it could come into effect in the spring, athletes who use banned substances could be jailed for three years, with dealers and doctors who assist in doping facing 10 year sentences.
And it will not only affect German athletes, but also those caught doping in the country, as the authorities attempt to crack down on drug users in elite sport.
“We are happy that a specific proposal is now on the table,” Alfons Hoermann, head of Germany's Olympic Sports confederation said. “What the government does is going into the right direction. We welcome this.”
Jan Ullrich and Stefan Schumacher are two German cyclists in recent years to have been caught, or admitted doping during their career. Now officials in the country hope the threat of imprisonment would be a deterrent for future offenders.
Belgian pro cyclists implicated in blood doping investigation
Belgian investigation centres on activities of Dr Chris Mertens and 19 athletes, majority of whom are cyclists
Jonathan Tiernan-Locke: "I have no respect for the doping sanction"
-
-
2022 Tour de France route analysis: relentlessly tough and demanding that could produce a classic
There are barely any easy kilometres in store on a route that demands attacking, daring riding
By Chris Marshall-Bell •
-
Tour de France 2022 route: The official route for the 109th edition revealed
A Danish start, cobbles and the return of Alpe d'Huez are all on the menu
By Tim Bonville-Ginn •
-
German former rider receives nine year doping ban and stripped of 11 years worth of results
Björn Thurau retired from racing at the end of 2019
By Tim Bonville-Ginn •
-
Doping ban for former Trek-Segafredo rider upheld after his appeal fails
The Court of Arbitration for Sport upheld the four-year ban for the 36-year-old
By Alex Ballinger •
-
Delko rider banned for doping says he tested positive after eye surgery
A Delko rider banned for doping has claimed he tested positive after having eye surgery.
By Alex Ballinger •
-
Doctor at centre of Operation Aderlass doping scandal jailed by German court
The doctor at the centre of the Operation Aderlass doping scandal has been jailed by a German court.
By Alex Ballinger •
-
Doctor at centre of Operation Aderlass scandal admits to doping athletes
The doctor at the centre of the Operation Aderlass scandal has admitted doping athletes during his ongoing trial.
By Alex Ballinger •
-
Georg Preidler spared jail after admitting involvement in Operation Aderlass blood doping ring
Georg Preidler has been spared jail after admitting his involvement in the Operation Aderlass blood doping ring.
By Alex Ballinger •
-
Doping trafficking ring involving professional athletes dismantled in Italy
Authorities searched the houses of 74 athletes registered to sports federations
By Jonny Long •
-
Negative backlash for reporting doping the biggest barrier for potential whistleblowers, study finds
Only 40 per cent of athletes and coaches said they felt their sport actively encouraged them to report doping
By Jonny Long •
