German Gymnastics Federation President Leans Toward German Anti-Doping Law

German Gymnastics Federation (DTB) President Rainer Brechtken, like leaders of various other organizations, "is leaning toward a German anti-doping law," according to the SID. Brechtken said in a letter to all gymnastic athletes that "it is worth considering bundling all legal anti-doping regulations in a separate anti-doping law." Brechtken "thinks it makes sense to classify doping fraud as a criminal offense." However, just like the German Athletics Association (DLV), Brechtken "deviates from two major points from the initiative in the state of Baden-Württemberg." He does not think that "the distinction for professional athletes is sufficient," and he "will not accept doping violations only being reduced to competitions" (SID, 11/18).