President Vladimir Putin on 22nd Nov signed a law introducing prison term for coaches and medical staff who coerce athletes into using banned performance enhancing drugs.
Law comes into force as Russia seeks to clean up its image after the evidence of state sponsored doping that saw its team and Paralympics squad excluded from the Olympics this year.
Legislation calls for a one year jail term for officials who force a minor to dope or resort to violence and threats to make athletes dope.
Russian parliament and senate approved the draft law in November.
Law does not outline any punishments for athletes who abuse drugs; administration said further legislation is planned.
State backed doping in Russia was documented by the McLaren report by the WADA and released just before the Rio games.
