Parliament adopts law on anti-doping activities in sports

Some 303 MPs voted for the document at a parliament meeting on Wednesday, January 26, according to an Ukrinform correspondent.

The law defines the legal and organizational principles of anti-doping activities in Ukraine, the powers of public authorities and local government agencies, the responsibilities of relevant institutions, agencies, organizations and individuals to prevent the use and spread of doping in sports.

According to the law, in Ukraine, anti-doping rules at the national level are developed and approved by the National Anti-Doping Center and apply to sports federations, their members and other entities in the field of physical education and sports. These rules must comply with the World Anti-Doping Code.

The powers of the anti-doping center include the issuance of permits for the therapeutic use of prohibited substances and methods in accordance with the International Standard for Therapeutic Use Exemptions; cooperation with interested national or international organizations, agencies and other anti-doping organizations; ordering and receiving services related to anti-doping activities, including services related to testing, consulting and training in Ukraine and abroad; the involvement of doping control officers on a permanent or contractual basis in sampling; the creation of registration pools and development of a plan for testing athletes in accordance with the World Anti-Doping Code and the International Standard for Testing and Investigations.

The powers of the National Anti-Doping Center extend to all athletes and their support staff who are Ukrainians or stay in Ukraine legally, as well as those who participate in any activity or event organized, conducted, convened or authorized by the organizer of the sporting event, including in cases when the organizer is not affiliated with a sports federation. Supervision of the activities of the anti-doping center is carried out by the Supervisory Board, which, according to the law, is an advisory body.

The document also provides for the establishment of the Disciplinary Anti-Doping Commission and the Anti-Doping Appeal Commission, the Nomination and Therapeutic Committees and the determination of the procedure for their work.

The implementation of the law "On Anti-Doping Activities in Sports" (No. 5099) requires financial expenditures from Ukraine's state budget. The activities of the National Anti-Doping Center and the National Anti-Doping Control Laboratory will be funded as part of expenditures provided to the Ministry of Youth and Sports of Ukraine.

The Verkhovna Rada adopted the law at first reading on June 2, 2021.

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