In the early 1970s, the athletes of East Germany started to achieve incredible sports results, winning medals and setting new world records with astonishing frequency. For many years, their sporting supremacy was hailed as a triumph of the socialist government's commitment to scientific research and innovative training methods.

However, after the Cold War ended, the Stasi archives revealed a sinister secret behind the successes: a perverse doping system imposed by the government itself. Drugs were administered to young athletes, often without their consent, and the price their bodies are now paying is very high, both physically and mentally.

I talk with Joseph Tudor, whose new book Synthetic Medals reveals the events that led to the discovery of the state-doping system and the subsequent trial. It also explores the state's motives for this crime against its own people.

0:00 Introduction and Joseph Tudor's perspective on East German doping

2:04 Sponsor: Call to support the Cold War Conversations podcast

4:12 East Germany's adoption of artificial methods to enhance athletes' performance

10:43 Unveiling the East German 'athlete machine'

17:47 The International Olympic Committee's suspicions about East Germany's success

21:44 Prevalence and detection of doping in East German sports

26:05 Resistance and consequences against Stasi's involvement in sports

31:49 Discovery of State Plan 14.25, East Germany's state doping program

34:03 Legal challenges surrounding East Germany's doping program

38:39 The devastating side effects of doping drugs on athletes

45:30 Legacy of East German athletic success and the role of doping

52:37 Athletes returning their medals due to guilt of doping

56:13 Sponsor: Promotion of the book 'Synthetic Medals: East German Athlete's Journey to Hell'

57:05 Closing remarks and promotion of the Cold War Conversations store

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