East Germany Ran a Massive State-Sponsored Doping Program

Between the 1960s and 1980s, East Germany operated one of the most extensive and systematic doping programs in sports history. Under the code name State Plan 14.25, the communist government administered performance-enhancing drugs to thousands of athletes, often without their knowledge or consent. The goal was to demonstrate the superiority of the socialist system through Olympic success. The program was remarkably effective, East Germany went from winning 24 medals in 1968 to 153 in 1980. However, the human cost was enormous. Many athletes suffered severe long-term health problems including heart disease, infertility, and birth defects in their children. After German reunification, hundreds of former athletes came forward to tell their stories, leading to criminal trials of the doctors and officials responsible.