Russian athletes will now have to agree to give doping tests and abide by anti-doping rules when signing their work contracts, according to amendments approved by the Russian parliament's upper house on Wednesday.
In line with the amendments, employers will also be obliged to inform athletes about Russian and international anti-doping regulations. Athletes will face dismissal if they are found to be breaching the rules.
Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin urged tougher penalties on performance-enhancing drugs in 2009 following a series of Russian athlete disqualifications at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. A range of proposals, including the creation of a state doping control system are being looked at ahead of the 2014 Winter Olympics in Russia's Sochi.
MOSCOW, June 8 (RIA Novosti)
