East v West - Germany's drug-fuelled Cold War for medals

A study commissioned by nan German Ministry of Sport and carried retired by researchers astatine Humboldt University successful Berlin and nan University of Munster - Leaks from Doping successful Germany from 1950 to Today - appeared successful various German newspapers.

The study was heavy redacted because of ineligible and privateness concerns, but was clear capable successful its declare that doping was wide connected some sides of nan Cold War disagreement and had continued aft reunification.

The revelations connected West German doping landed for illustration a bombshell, pinch nan reverberations travelling astir nan world.

The study alleged that West Germany's daze comeback triumph complete Hungary successful nan 1954 World Cup last - a crippled often called 'The Miracle of Bern' - had been powered by pervitin, an energy-boosting methamphetamine.

The supplier had been studied successful extent for its doping qualities astatine Freiburg during nan 1950s.

Questions were besides raised complete West Germany's 1966 World Cup, successful which they reached nan last but mislaid to England 4-2.

The study revealed that a missive from Fifa charismatic Mihailo Andrejevic informed nan president of nan German Athletics Association, Max Danz, that "fine traces" of ephedrine - a cardinal tense strategy stimulant - were recovered successful 3 players of nan German nationalist team.

No action was taken and immoderate person speculated that nan players whitethorn person consumed nan ephedrine successful a acold medicine.

By nan clip of nan 1972 and 1976 Olympics, successful Munich and Montreal respectively, organised doping was communal among West Germany's elite athletes, nan study added.

While astir of Germany's sports federations agreed to return portion and stock documentation, according to nan report, it was notable that nan country's diversion relation refused to manus complete nan minutes of its statesmanlike meetings, while "a erstwhile president of nan federation was unwilling to let entree to doping-related documents successful his possession".

The study besides states that nan German Football Association only offered nan researchers entree nether yet unacceptable conditions, while nan information services refused entree to imaginable doping-related documents from some West and East Germany.

Over a decade later, nan first report, moreover pinch redactions, is only disposable arsenic a beingness transcript by petition to nan German government.

The Federal Institute for Sports Science (BISp) said nan 804-page first study did not "meet nan requirements of bully technological activity successful shape and content" and requested that it was revised.

A later, 43-page type has been made disposable much publicly., external

The University of Freiberg told BBC Sport that it is "committed to nan consistent, unreserved and transparent explanation of nan past surrounding Freiburg sports medicine" and described nan resignation of Paoli and her squad of investigators and their nonaccomplishment to present a last study successful conjunction pinch it arsenic "very regrettable".

The assemblage has made some parts of nan team's provisional activity disposable online., external

Germany announced successful July, external that it intends to bid to big nan 2040 Olympic and Paralympic Games. If successful, nan arena would people 50 years since reunification.

But, for illustration nan future, nan country's past is contested.

The Cold War had its victor, and victors often person nan state to mould history and storylines arsenic they spot fit. Yet West Germany's secrets have, astatine slightest partially, emerged to alteration nan script.

East Germany doped its athletes connected a chillingly business level that saw thousands drugged without clear consent to summation a sporting precocious manus - but nan business successful nan West was acold little opaque.

Those successful West Germany were afforded state beyond nan wildest dreams of East Germans, but it's becoming progressively clear that galore chose precisely nan aforesaid methods arsenic nan enemy.

For some, successful nan conflict for Cold War medals, thing to summation an advantage was adjacent game.