German drug cheats could face a jail sentence if they provide a positive test under proposed law changes.

The draft of a new anti-doping law will go before parliament in the spring and if passed, it will make doping a crime for the first time.

As a result, being caught taking performance-enhancing drugs could land the offender up to three years in prison or a fine.

Under the terms of the guidelines, foreign athletes that provide a conclusive sample while competing in Germany also risk imprisonment.