[Use of androgenic anabolic steroids before and during the Olympic Games: less but has not died out]

Androgenic anabolic steroids are compounds with a chemical structure and clinical effect very similar to those of the male hormone testosterone. Since their introduction these substances have been misused in an effort to improve athletic performance. Detection of misuse has long been inadequate. For this reason a state doping programme was developed by the government of the former German Democratic Republic (GDR). Systematic doping abuse ended with the collapse of the GDR and the introduction of out-of-competition surprise drug testing. The performance-enhancing effects of doping and the introduction of intensive doping surveillance are reflected in the decline in performance in several women's track and field events.