People & Politics | Doping in East Germany

International sport was largely dominated by communist East Germany in the 1970s and 80s. But it has since transpired that the state systematically doped its athletes and their success was a sham.Many former trainers have consistently denied any wrongdoing,even though scores of athletes have been left with serious health problems. But now,twenty years after the fall of the Berlin Wall,a group of former trainers have admitted their guilt - and got off scott-free. They all currently coach Germany's top track-and-field stars,and they've been told their jobs are safe,despite their confession.

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[rhoschdeHH]

@bigalziemba How old are u? The side effects are dramatic... and in fact there are a lot of studies google is your friend. It is not ridiculous at all. If u don't have a clue just shut up. Keywords are: Hormonal doping and androgenization of athletes: a secret program of the German Democratic Republic government

[farwayout]

Very sad and unfortunate for the world reknowm east german 'sport factories' that produced many well known DDR world class athletes! Shame that this is the FINAL RESULT-many serious side affects to prolonged steroid use!!!

[Tokopol]

Doping in and of itself isn't a big deal. Sooner or later, most sports programs will be affluent enough that all athletes will be doped to some exent. It's OVER-doping that has caused problems, in addition to lack of sufficient testing and safety protocols.

As far as I'm concerned, the GDR paved the way for the future of sports.

[TheCopper05]

Is any body surprised, that these coaches are not sorry. They are not the victims, but these swimmers and track and field stars are.

[idontsignin]

I'll go out on a limb a say this case will probably never close until the world records are gone, steroids have ruined athletics, if when we see a brilliant performance or world record automatically people will say that person must be on something and it's all because of that era in sport.

[shottut]

@tripleheshy You have got your head in the sand. We cheated as heavily as the GDR in the 80's in all sports but especially in athletics, 50 athletes tested positive in the 1984 olympics trails ... 34 at the games, it was all covered up. Many of these were working with east german coaches (on their drug programs).

[XLnotsofunny]

the olympic games are nothing but empty vaccuums for people to hunt endlessly for the illusions called fame and glory

[UDSS]

Stalinism is a evil and inhuman system. Lies and lies they spread and those lies were very well used by the anticommunist western governments. Those poor people were abused by their state, they believed in a fair en good ideology. The criminals of the GDR were not the ordinary SED members, but the members of the KZ ( Central Committee )

Walter Ulbricht and Erich Honecker, you will forever be traitors of Marxism and enemies of the German workers.

[tripleheshy]

@anaihilator True. I was just refuting his/her claim that US was/is engaged in systematic cheating. Yes Marion Jones, along with some other track and field athletes, did cheat but it was not an edict from on high as it was in the former East Germany.

[anaihilator]

@tripleheshy if the us doped it just means that all things being equal, he hockey team was still better.

[tripleheshy]

@tharuntheman Do you care to put forth any proof??? Otherwise I would advise you to keep your mouth shut. BTW, we didn't have to cheat, we proved we were better. Look at the hockey gold medal game at Lake Placid in 1980.