Prison sentences and fines for dopers in France

Prison sentences and fines for dopers in France

By BikeRadar & AFP

Spectators let us know how they feel about doping in the Tour. (FRANCK FIFE/AFP/Getty Images)
The French government on Wednesday moved to toughen anti-doping legislation ahead of this summer's Tour de France.

Members of Parliament adopted a new law which penalises the possession and trafficking of doping products in sport with prison sentences and fines.

Under the new measures offenders will receive up of five years in jail and a 75,000-euro fine, when it relates to drug trafficking, explained French Minister for Sport Bernard Laporte. The penalty will be increased to seven years in prison and a fine of 150,000 euros when the offence is committed as part of an organised group or against a minor.

The sentence will comprise a year in prison and a 3,750-euro fine when the offence is committed by a sports person for his personal use, Laporte said.

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Good plan... most doping products are restricted or illegal for sale without a prescription... jail time, and fines might make some dopers think twice rather than the current "deterrents" of merely being caught (and often keeping their ill-gotten winnings).