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Journalism of Courage
The Russian Parliament has voted in favor of a bill that outlines new sanctions including prison terms for coaches found guilty of coercing athletes into doping.
The bill that the State Duma adopted unanimously Thursday passed in the run-up to the publication of a fuller version of the Word Anti-Doping Agency report into doping in Russia. Coaches or sports officials could be liable for a fine up to 300,000 rubles ($4,700) or up to a year in prison in cases where young athletes are coerced into using banned performance-enhancing substances.
Alexander Zhukov, the president of the Russian Olympic Committee who also has a Duma seat, said the bill confirms Russia’s stance against doping “especially toward coaches who coerce underage athletes to use banned substances.”
