New bill proposes authorizing RUSADA to adopt Russia's anti-doping rules

MOSCOW. Dec 29 (Interfax) - A bill on authorizing the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) to adopt nationwide anti-doping rules has been submitted by the government to the State Duma.

The draft legislation was added to database of the State Duma's legislative activities on Wednesday.

The need to draw up such a bill was prompted by the results of the World Anti-Doping Agency's audit of RUSADA's work, revealing inconsistencies between certain provisions of Russian laws regarding the prevention of doping in sport and the World Anti-Doping Code, an explanatory note said.

Under the World Anti-Doping Code, national anti-doping organizations are responsible for adopting and introducing anti-doping rules.

In Russia, this organization is RUSADA. Meanwhile, in accordance with the law on physical education and sport in Russia, it is the Sports Ministry that is responsible for adopting the country's anti-doping rules.

This bill is meant to help resolve this issue. It also specifies the powers of Russia's Federal Medical-Biological Agency.