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776 BCE
Ancient Greeks Use Performance Enhancing Drugs
"The use of drugs to enhance performance in sports has certainly occurred since the time of the original Olympic Games [from 776 to 393 BC]. The origin of the word 'doping' is attributed to the Dutch word 'doop,' which is a viscous opium juice, the drug of choice of the ancient Greeks." - Larry D. Bowers
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100
Roman Gladiators Use Stimulants and Hallucinogens to Prevent Fatigue and Injury
Chariot Racers feed their horses substances like hyrdromel, which is a alcoholic beverage made from honey, to make them run faster and the gladiators ingest hallucinogens and stimulants to prevent fatigue and injury and to improve the intensity of their fights.
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Performance Enhancing Drugs Used in the Modern Olympic Games
1904-1920
"In 1904 Olympics marathon runner, Thomas Hicks, was using a mixture of brandy and strychnine [a stimulant that is fatal in high doses] and nearly died. Mixtures of strychnine, heroin, cocaine, and caffeine were used widely by athlete. This was common practice until heroin and cocaine became available only by prescription in the 1920s." - Mark S. Gold -
First Rule Against Doping in Sports
The International Association of Athletics Federation (IAFF) become the first international sporting federation to ban doping by athletes. -
Soldiers Use Amphetamines During WWII
1940-1945
The American, British, German, and Japanese armed forces distribute amphetamines to their soldiers to counteract fatigue, elevate mood, and heighten endurance.
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Athletes Begin Taking Amphetamines Used by Soldiers in WWII
1950s
The first 'effective' performance enhancing drugs, the amphetamines, which were used widely by soldiers in the Second World War, crossed over into sports in the early 1950s, these drugs minimize fatigue during exercise. -
FDA Approves First Anabolic Steroid for Sale in US
in 1958, Dr. John Bosley Zieglar creates a steroid called Dianabol that is realized by Ciba Pharmaceuticals with FDA approval. His drug synthesizes the strength-building properties of testosterone while minimizing the negative health effects.
Close to his death in 1983, Dr. Zieglar speaks out and says he wishes he had never created the steroid after seeing athletes abuse the drug. -
First Athlete to Die in Olympic Competition Due to Doping
Knut Jensen dies at the Summer Olympics during the 100km team time trial race. His collapse was initially thought to be caused by high temperatures that day. An autopsy revealed traces of Ronical, an ampetamine. -
First Drug Testing at Olympic Games
The list of banned substances issued in 1967 included narcotic analgesics and stimulants, alcohol was even banned. It was suspected that steroids were being used at the time but testing methods were not developed enough to include them in the banned list.
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First Olympic Athlete Disqualified for Doping Violation
Hans-Gunnar Liljenwall, a member of the Swedish modern pentathlon team, was stripped of his bronze medal at the Mexico City Olympics when he tested positive for excessive alcohol. He became the first athlete ever disqualified for doping. The entire Swedish team was forced to give up their medals aswell. -
Anabolic Steroids Added to IOC's Banned Substances List
In 1975, Anabolic Steroids are added to the IOC's banned list because a test that is considered reliable is developed -
President Reagan Signs Act Outlawing Non-Medical Steroid Sales
President Ronald Regan signs the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988, outlawing the sale of steroids for non-medical purposes.
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Congress Passes Anabolic Steroids Control Act
Congress passes the Anabolic Steroids Control Act which places steroids in the same legal class as amphetamines, metamphetamines, opium, and morphine. -
Major League Baseball Bans Steroids
Major League Baseball Commissioner Fay Vincent sends a seven page memo to all of the major league teams on that states: "The possession, sale or use of any illegal drug or controlled substance by Major League players or personnel is strictly prohibited, this prohibition applies to all illegal drugs and controlled substances, including steroids." -
World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Is Established
The World Anti-Doping Agency was established on November 10, 1999 to promote and coordinate the fight against doping in sport internationally. They had the support of intergovernmental organizations, governments, public authorities, and other public and private bodies.
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WADA Takes over Control of the Prohibited List
In 2004, The IOC transfers the management of the Prohibited List to WADA. -
President Bush Signs the Anabolic Steroid Control Act
The bill added hundreds of steroid-based drugs and precursors such as androstenedione to the list of anabolic steroids that are classified as Schedule III controlled substances, which are banned from over-the-counter sales without a prescription.
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NFL Announces Stricter Anti-Doping Policies
A 40 percent increase in the number of players randomly tested each week during the preseason, regular season and post-season from seven to 10 per team and the addition of erythropoietin (EPO) to the banned substance list. -
WWE Wrestler Commits Murder/Suicide after Injecting Steroids
Professional wrestler Chris Benoit kills his wife and seven-year-old son before committing suicide in their home in Fayetteville, Georgia. He has ten times the normal level of testosterone, an anabolic steroid, in his body at the time, as well as amounts of Xanax and Hydrocodone. -
First Doping Suspensions in History of Major League Soccer
New York Red Bulls goalkeeper Jon Conway and defender Jeff Parke each received a 10-game ban after testing positive for androstatriendione and boldenone metabolites. They were each fined 10% of their family. -
NASCAR Announces Stricter Anti-Doping Policy
Everyone will be tested before the season begins, and random testing will continue throughout the year. NASCAR expects to randomly test 12 to 14 individuals per series each weekend. -
US Swimmer Michael Phelps Caught Smoking Marijuana and Suspended for Three Months
(Just for Beatrice)
A photo gets published of Michael Phelps smoking marijuana and is suspended 3 months. -
NFL to Become First Major American Sports League to Conduct Blood Tests
Players would be subject to random testing for HGH(Human Growth Harmone), in addition to annual checks -- as is the case for all banned substances in the league's drug-testing program -
First Professional Athlete in the US to Test Positive for HGH Is Suspended for 50 Games
Mike Jacobs, a first baseman in the Colorado Rockies organization who has played over 500 games in the major leagues, including dozens with the Mets, is the first professional baseball player to test positive for human growth hormone. He is suspended for 50 games. -
Olympics Ban for Russian Track and Field Athletes Upheld
Russian track and field athletes will remain banned from the Olympics following claims the country ran a state-sponsored doping program. The Russian Olympic Committee attempted to overturn the suspension but the Court of Arbitration of Sport ruled it can stand.
