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The Rodchenkov Anti-Doping Act has officially been signed into United States law.
The Act gives US officials the power to prosecute individuals for doping and related acts during international sports competitions that involve American athletes.
The Act made it through the US Senate in November. President Donald Trump signed the legislation into law on Friday, December 4.
The Act is named after the Russian whistleblower Grigory Rodchenkov, who is currently living in the US in exile or government protection. He was one of the primary people who enabled doping, covered up positive tests, and operated the Sochi Winter Olympic and Moscow Laboratories. He played a role in the Oscar-winning documentary Icarus.
The Act gives prosecutors the ability to seek fines of up to $1 million. The Rodchenkov Act also provides the US to seek prison sentences of up to 10 years for doping when involving US athletes.
While athletes will not be subject to criminal prosecution under the law, something that the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has bristled at.
The US Office of National Drug Control Policy has threatened to pull its $2.9 million contribution to WADA.
The Rodchenkov Act has also been opposed by the International Olympic Committee.
Regardless, Trump signed it into law on Friday.
