It was clear after Thursday’s meeting between the Norwegian Sports Confederation, Norwegian Antidoping (ADNO) and the Ministry of Culture.

And from the Norwegian side, you have a bad time. According to NTB, the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) has set a deadline next week to implement a solution that allows young athletes between the ages of 15 and 18 to be tested for doping with the consent of their parents.

– Based on the inputs Antidoping Norway (ADNO) and NIF made in recent days, there was agreement on a short-term solution with 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.

new law

The meeting came after it became clear that Norway’s rules for testing athletes between the ages of 15 and 18 contradicted World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) rules.

Young Norwegian athletes can only be tested for doping with parental consent.

– From the authorities, we are now in the process of assessing possible solutions so that athletes in the 15-18 age group can self-approve doping tests. This includes an assessment of the new law. Solutions other than obtaining parental consent will not exist within the time limit set by WADA, the Ministry of Culture said in a statement.

Waiting for resolution

New Norwegian legislation in this area will in practice take several years.

Earlier this week, Wada told NTB that it hoped that the practical solution issues related to testing young athletes could be resolved “soon”.

If Norway does not implement a set of rules that are in line with Wada, it may result in Norwegian sport being deemed not to comply with Wada regulations. In the worst case, the consequence is that Norwegian athletes are not allowed to participate in international championships and Norway cannot host international events.