FairSport and Global Athlete Applaud Senators Moran, Gardner, Warner and Blumenthal for Co-Sponsorship of Rodchenkov Anti-Doping Act
U.S. Olympian Noah Hoffman and Jim Walden, lawyer for Dr. Grigory Rodchenkov, stand by clean sports organizations in support of anti-corruption legislation
January 24, 2020 — FairSport is grateful for the leadership of Senators Moran, Gardner, Warner and Blumenthal who have confirmed their co-sponsorship of the Rodchenkov Anti-Doping Act. They join Senators Wicker, Whitehouse, Cardin and Leahy in support of the bill, and in the fight against corruption in the international games Americans hold so dearly. The Rodchenkov Anti-Doping Act presents real solutions to address decades of failed sports governance and pernicious corruption with tentacles that have taken the form, not only of doping that cheats American athletes out of medals, but of hacking, bribery, intimidation and death threats against whistleblowers. In the face of pressure from entrenched interests, FairSport reminds U.S. lawmakers that the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act was not popular initially but has transformed international law enforcement, promoting wide-ranging, cross-border cooperation to effectively combat business corruption around the world, which protects the interests of American companies.
Noah Hoffman, U.S. Olympic Cross Country Skier, states, “The Rodchenkov Anti- Doping Act promises to give athletes like me, who believe that competing ethically is more important than winning, the chance to achieve our dreams. We compete clean because it’s the right thing to do, but too often we’re playing a rigged game. It’s time to level the playing field and ensure that the next generation of American athletes never has their moment stolen from them by the perpetrators of institutionalized doping. American athletes deserve the Rodchenkov Act.”
Jim Walden, lawyer for Dr. Grigory Rodchenkov, for whom the Act is named, adds, “As the tentacles of international corruption seek every chance to co-opt the wicked and the willing, RADA is the last best hope for clean athletes. The soul of sport hangs in the balance as lobbyists have descended on Washington to try to block this necessary legislation. We are grateful so many sponsors and Senators are standing strong in support of clean sports.”
Robert Koheler, Director General of Global Athlete, the athlete-led movement for change that has pledged its formal support for the Rodchenkov Anti-Doping Act, says, “RADA is an important step forward for athletes’ rights. It adds another layer of protection for athletes. Athletes should never be coerced to dope. That is why it’s important to bring the enablers to justice and protect whistleblowers that come forward that expose corrupt doping practices.”