Madrid (pps) The World Anti-Doping Agency, WADA, has ratified a new anti-doping code during the World Conference on Doping in Sport. Josef Fendt, President of the International Luge Federation, FIL, and Dr. Christian Kraehe, Chairman of the FIL Committee for Legal Affairs were both present at the WADA Congress in Madrid. The new code will represent the foundation of the fight against doping and will help to achieve harmony on sanctions among federations. “It’s a major milestone,” said Thomas Bach, President of the German Olympic Sports Association, DOSB, and IOC Vice President.

The major changes to the code which was first implemented in 2004 is the rule allowing for a four-year instead of a two-year suspension for a first doping offense in the event of aggravating circumstances, the provision of flexible sanctions and more flexible sanctions for athletes who help catch others involved in doping.