Written question asked by Lord Moynihan (Conservative) on Wednesday, 30 July 2014, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 13 August 2014. It was answered by Lord Gardiner of Kimble (Conservative) on Monday, 13 October 2014 on behalf of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

Sports: Drugs

Question: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the World Anti-Doping Agency on the length of bans imposed on athletes who test positive for performance-enhancing stimulants with regard to their congruence with the new sanctions recently endorsed by the Court of Arbitration for Sport, the International Association of Athletics Federations and the World Anti-Doping Agency.

Answer: The Government did not make any representations to the World Anti-Doping Agency on the length of bans imposed on athletes who test positive for performance-enhancing stimulants, but endorsed and supported those made by UK Anti-Doping, the UK’s National Anti-Doping Organisation, throughout the consultation process. The Government remains committed to playing a full and active part in the global fight against doping in sport and welcomes the new World Anti-Doping Code, coming into force on 1 January 2015, being tougher on those who cheat. The new Code implements a stringent sanctioning regime in respect of intentional doping, which will now result in a four year ban from all sport.

Secondary information