The controversial ‘Osaka Rule’, which banned athletes convicted of serious doping offences from competing in the next Olympic Games, has been dropped from the latest draft World Anti-Doping Code.

In its place, the ban for serious offences, including anabolic steroids, human growth hormone, masking agents, trafficking and prohibited methods, is to be increased from two years to four, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) said.

It means that Rule 45, or the Osaka Rule, of the Olympic Charter has not been included in the draft version of the Code, which is due to be approved in autumn 2013 at a meeting in Johannesburg and implemented in 2015. It had been part of the Olympic Charter until last year when it was ruled non-compliant with the Code.

 

The controversial ‘Osaka Rule’, which banned athletes convicted of serious doping offences from competing in the next Olympic Games, has been dropped from the latest draft World Anti-Doping Code.

In its place, the ban for serious offences, including anabolic steroids, human growth hormone, masking agents, trafficking and prohibited methods, is to be increased from two years to four, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) said.

It means that Rule 45, or the Osaka Rule, of the Olympic Charter has not been included in the draft version of the Code, which is due to be approved in autumn 2013 at a meeting in Johannesburg and implemented in 2015. It had been part of the Olympic Charter until last year when it was ruled non-compliant with the Code.