“A system where you can cheat.” Norway finally admits doping problems

Norway’s reputation in international sports began to deteriorate in the 90s. Then the Scandinavian skiers, almost without exception using drugs for asthma, were first accused of the systematic use of doping. This scandal is still being discussed in the press, but no one is in a hurry to hold the northerners accountable.

This time, however, the Norwegians are unlikely to escape punishment. The recent history of doping tests for Norwegian youth has stirred up the world sports press and has already attracted the attention of WADA. The country’s authorities are still fighting off criticism, answering journalists’ questions with routine platitudes, but some have already decided to admit the flaws of the local system.

An honest statement about the work of the Norwegian federation was unexpectedly made by the champion of the 2018 Olympics skier Didrik Tønset. Amazing courage!

“There is a flaw in the system”

Last month it became known that a law passed in Norway several years ago violates WADA rules. Over the past two years, Norwegian athletes between the ages of 15 and 18 could not be tested without the consent of their parents or guardians, so they could not be given advance warning of the visit of doping officers, which is a violation of the WADA code.

The Anti-Doping Organization instructed Norway to change this provision in the legislation by September 9, but the issue could not be resolved so quickly in the country. As a result, a compromise solution was adopted: the national federations and teams undertook to obtain the consent of parents or guardians in advance for doping tests. The Olympic 2018 relay champion, two-time relay world champion and World Cup winner Didrik Tenset decided to comment on this situation:

– It’s good that it was revealed and, perhaps, gave some impetus. Apparently, it takes some time to change such a law, but now, at least, there is a temporary solution. I think many foreigners are suspicious of Norway as a nation. We are a small country that performs very well at the Olympics. The fact that we have a system in which you can cheat up to 18 years old is not good. But I don’t think this rule was created as a loophole. There is a flaw in the system, because of which it does not look very good, the athlete said.

Didrik Tönset / Photo: © Linnea Rheborg / Staff / Getty Images Sport / Gettyimages.ru

The Norwegians will have to get the hang of it

Immediately after the news of the problems in Norwegian legislation, the press reported on the possible consequences that the country risks facing. The toughest of these could be depriving Norway of the opportunity to host international competitions and suspension from all competitions where WADA rules apply. Anders Solheim, chairman of the Norwegian anti-doping agency, also expressed concern:

– We do not need a sport in which you can take a ban until 18 years old – without passing the test. This provides an opportunity to cheat and gain an unfair advantage,” the sports official said.

Norway’s laws regarding minors are as strict as possible, but the country’s government has agreed to make temporary concessions that will allow doping officers to do their job right. Whether the country will be able to agree on full-fledged changes in legislation, we will find out very soon. However, the problems with testing young Norwegian athletes over the past two years should already be a reason for WADA to pay closer attention to local sports.