The individual and the state: A social historical analysis of the east german 'Doping System'

Citation

Dimeo P, Hunt TM & Horbury R (2011) The individual and the state: A social historical analysis of the east german 'Doping System'. Sport in History, 31 (2), pp. 218-237. https://doi.org/10.1080/17460263.2011.590026

Abstract
The literature on East Germany, sport and performance-enhancing drugs emphasizes the power of the state in totalitarian society and the abuse of athletes. Doping is referred to as a system or machine, which was state sponsored, mandatory, secretive, abusive and corrupt. This fits easily with both political understandings of East German society and understandings of the cultural values of sport. In this article, we map the flawed and simplistic model of East German society that over-emphasizes structure and underemphasizes agency. From there, we will draw from individuals' accounts of their experiences to develop a more complex, nuanced and sophisticated account of doping in East Germany.

Journal
Sport in History: Volume 31, Issue 2