Teemu Ramstedt, the chairman of the Finnish Athletes' Association, has expressed strong criticism towards the Finnish Ethical Centre for Sport (SUEK) for its recent proposal to criminalize doping use in professional sports. Ramstedt labeled the decision as 'unreasonable,' arguing that it would unfairly punish athletes. He raised concerns over the fact that the athlete members of SUEK's board were not informed about the proposal before it became public, which could indicate a lack of transparency and consideration for athletes' perspectives on the issue.

SUEK's legal adviser, Petteri Lindblom, justified the proposal by stating that criminalizing doping would significantly enhance the monitoring of doping practices among professional athletes. Currently, under Finnish law, doping offenses primarily pertain to the manufacture and importation of banned substances, rather than the use of these substances by athletes themselves. This distinction indicates a gap in regulatory measures that has eluded comprehensive attention up till now.

The debate surrounding this proposal places Finnish sports in a challenging position, as it tries to balance ethical considerations with practical implications for athletes. If criminalization were to proceed, it would necessitate clearer guidelines and education for athletes to ensure compliance and understanding. This situation not only reflects the ongoing global struggle against doping in sports but also opens up discussions on the best methods to support clean competition while protecting the rights of athletes.