No bad surprise at the National Assembly. The French deputies voted, on Tuesday 21 March, in favour of two of the many texts included in the new version of the Olympic law. The first, adopted at the end of the evening, concerns article 4 of the bill, relating to genetic doping. Adopted by 83 votes and 14 abstentions (ecologists, socialists and rebels), it authorizes the French laboratory accredited by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) to carry out genetic tests to detect certain forms of doping (administration of blood, substitution of samples taken, genetic mutation or manipulation). Note: despite its inclusion in the Olympic law, this authorization is not limited in time. It will thus remain effective after the end of the Games of Paris 2024, in spite of certain amendments deposited by deputies of the opposition. The authorization of genetic anti-doping tests is not a French particularity. It is among the requirements of the world anti-doping code. The Minister of Sports, Amélie Ouéda-Castéra, recalled Tuesday, March 21 before the deputies: “It is an obligation for the Games we must comply and this in a sustainable manner. Earlier in the day, the National Assembly adopted another article of the Olympic bill, less subject to debate and divisions: the creation of a health center within the athletes’ village. Adopted almost unanimously (138 for, one abstention), the article specifies that this medical center will provide first aid to members of delegations and accredited persons. It will be managed by the Assistance publique – Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP). Its operating costs will have to be the subject of an agreement with the COJO Paris 2024. The deputies must continue this Wednesday the examination of the text of law.
