– We must remember that children are mature enough to be punished when they are 15 years old, so there is much to be said for them being able to decide for themselves whether they should be able to be tested for doping, says Bejer Engh. The question is at the heart of the dispute in the Norwegian anti-doping crisis, which has led to the fact that no one under legal age has been tested unannounced in the last two years, and that there has been limited unannounced testing of minors since March 2018. The Norwegian Sports Confederation and Antidoping Norway, on the one hand, disagree with the Norwegian authorities on anti-doping work in the 15–18 age group. The sport believes that the current regulations, where prior consent must be obtained from guardians, is not an acceptable solution. CHEATING: Former Wada director believes that in theory it is free for young people between the ages of 15 and 18 to cheat. Photo: Heiko Junge / NTB The association and the anti-doping unit now fear that Norway’s deviation from the international anti-doping code could lead to Norway becoming so-called “non-compliant” with the international doping regulations. It can lead to Norwegian exclusion from organizing international championships and participation in the Olympics/Paralympics. – It is a rule Norway must get rid of. It is not connected with the international regulations. If we are to compete on the same terms as other countries, then we must get the rule that sets that restriction removed, says former Wada director Rune Andersen to news. – Very questionable Andersen himself helped establish the international anti-doping code as WADA director. Today, the pensioner is, among other things, a special adviser for Antidoping Norway. He does not know of any other countries that practice in the same way as Norway, and emphasizes that as it is in Norway now, it is theoretically free for young people to cheat. – Now there is no opportunity to test between the ages of 15 and 18, and then it is free. Surely someone in some circles knows this. It does not mean that someone exploits it, but it means that they can exploit it, and that is very worrying, says Andersen. WISH: Ice hockey president and parliamentary representative, Tage Pettersen (H), wants a new regulation. Photo: Stian Lysberg Solum / NTB The former anti-doping hunter believes the Norwegian authorities must step in. – In my opinion, the Ministry of Children and Families and the Ministry of Culture must sort this out so that rules are put in place that do not set this restriction for doping testing of young people from 15 to 18 years of age. This is also the opinion of ice hockey president and parliamentary representative, Tage Pettersen (H), who on Tuesday was highly critical of the sports association’s handling of the crisis. – I think the only right thing and the easiest thing is for us to get the Ministry of Children and Family Affairs to make a regulation for the Children’s Act to regulate the right for young people between 15 and 18 to make a decision themselves whether they want to undergo a doping test or not, says Pettersen. – The government should clean up The children’s ombudsman has the same opinion, who has repeatedly asked the Ministry of Children and Families to review the regulations. – We have asked them to clear it up and make it clearer for when children can consent and when they also need their parents’ consent, says the ombudsman. – Unfortunately, that has not happened, so I hope this case shows that here the government should clean up the regulations and ensure that there is a little more style and order. So that you know when children can decide for themselves, Bejer Engh follows up. She sees no reason not to change the current regulations. – I think that this is an area where children should be allowed to decide for themselves. They can enroll in and out of the sport themselves, and then I also think that they must be able to be responsible and make those choices, and comply with the rules that apply within the sport they will be participating in, states the children’s ombudsman. INITIATIVE: Minister for Children and Families Kjersti Toppe (Sp) will take the initiative to investigate the right to self-determination again. Photo: Terje Bendiksby / NTB Minister for Children and Families Kjersti Toppe (Sp) states that her ministry is now working on follow-up of the Children’s Law Committee. – As the Ombudsman for Children, I believe that there is a lot of evidence that children must be competent to consent to a doping test when they are between 15 and 18 years old. It is also the case that children today are of legal age according to health legislation when they are 16, writes Toppe in an e-mail to news. – Will you now be in favor of a new regulation where people between the ages of 15 and 18 can give consent themselves? – When it comes to the rules for doping testing, it is the Ministry of Culture that has the overall responsibility, Toppe answers and emphasizes: – When it comes to children’s self-determination in general, as mentioned, my ministry continues to follow up the Children’s Law Committee, which has assessed this. I will take the initiative for us to investigate this again.
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The children’s ombudsman enters the doping debate – asks the government to clean up – news Sport – Sports news, results and broadcasting schedule
