China will make doping a criminal offense from '19, and athletes found to have broken the law "will receive criminal punishments and jail terms," according to XINHUA. China's sports ministry and top judicial authority are "drafting a judicial interpretation on the application of criminal law in handling cases related to doping." It is a "strong signal" that China firmly says "no" to medals "tainted by doping." Chinese General Administration of Sport Dir Gou Zhongwen said, "We are nearing the end of our study and research into a judicial interpretation on anti-doping. It will be promulgated in 2019, probably in early 2019. Those guilty of doping will face criminal punishments." Gou said that anti-doping efforts "are of paramount importance" to sports in China. It was added that the use of performance-enhancing drugs has been found in several tests of samples from students applying to sports schools. China's Supreme Court also "vowed to fight hard against doping." Chinese Supreme Court Justice Jiang Qibo said, "We are studying and drawing up judicial interpretations on the application of law in handling criminal cases related to the use, manufacturing, sale and smuggling of performance-enhancing substances" (XINHUA, 12/28).
