Abstract: The penalty system in the new edition of the World Anti-Doping Code, which came into force in 2021, has been changed most and has the greatest impact on athletes. Therefore, it needs to be examined in depth. Based on the text analysis of several drafts and the comments of the parties concerned in the course of revision, this paper respectively explains, with reference to the cases in practice, the modification of the original punishment provisions, the new punishment system and the modification of the technical system, and extracts the general characteristics of classification, flexible treatment and increased uncertainty in the new punishment system. China should pay more attention to future anti-doping cases and make the rules more detailed, strengthen the construction of supporting systems, and put forward recommendations more actively so as to better apply the penalty system.

Key words: world anti-doping code, penalty system, doping