Doping in East Germany

The government of the German Democratic Republic (GDR) conducted a decades-long program of coercive administration and distribution of performance-enhancing drugs, initially testosterone, later mainly anabolic drugs, to its elite athletes. The aim of the program, which began in the 1960s, was to bolster East Germany's state image and prestige by winning medals in international competition such as the Olympic Games.

The system was extremely formalised and heavily based on secrecy. On a performance level, the system was successful; East German athletes were part of the country's elite and the GDR achieved numerous successes. However, the doping system negatively affected the health of numerous athletes over time.