But a short-term solution already exists, which ensures that Norwegian athletes will still be allowed to participate in international championships and competitions.

– I’m relieved that we can see the contours of the short-term solution, because it’s urgent. We owe that to Norwegian athletes, Norway’s director of anti-doping, Anders Solheim, told Dagbladet.

Risky punishment

NRK can recently report that Norway is in doping trouble.

The interpretation of the law means that athletes between the ages of 15 and 18 cannot be tested for doping without parental consent. As such, no one under the age of 18 has been tested unannounced in the last two years, and Norwegian Antidoping is therefore not compliant with the anti-doping code.

NRK also revealed that the Norwegian Sports Confederation (NIF) was aware of the Norwegian doping crisis since May 2019. President Berit Kjøll has not informed the special confederation or sports council about this.

In the worst case, Norway may lose the right to participate in international championships.

On Thursday, the NIF and the Ministry of Culture held a meeting after it became clear that Norway’s rules for testing conflict with World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) rules.

There it emerged that, in the short term, Norway could not meet Wada’s demands for a doping test solution for young athletes other than through parental consent.

Short term solution

– Based on the inputs made by Antidoping Norway and NIF in recent days, there was agreement on a short-term solution by obtaining parental consent ensuring that Norwegian sport and ADNO operate in accordance with WADA regulations, said a statement from the Ministry of Culture to NTB.

– Based on this agreement, ADNO and NIF will find a practical solution within WADA’s deadline, he continued.

The Ministry of Culture further wrote that the authorities would consider a solution for athletes in the 15 to 18 age group to be able to approve the doping tests themselves.

– It is good to see that work is also being done on a long-term solution in the legislation, it is necessary. It is very important to take seriously, and very positively and necessary, Solheim’s comments on Antidoping Norway.

Slaughtered

– Unlucky

Sports president Berit Kjøll told Dagbladet he was pleased that the authorities would now start working to investigate the possible legal basis. He added that the goal was to find a quick solution to get parental consent.

– In our opinion, this is the best solution, which ensures an effective and reliable anti-doping work. Regarding practical interim solutions, we have established a joint working group between ADNO and NIF where the various models that have been recorded will be further investigated.

– Is it good enough that for several years no solution was found to comply with Wada regulations, and now it is also impossible to solve it in the short term?

– It is an unfortunate and very regrettable situation that all parties agree that we should avoid it. But in the short term, we will now have a solution once the working group finishes the work in the coming days, replied Kjøll.

The sports president believes a permanent solution should be put in place as soon as possible.