As a parent with a kid getting ready to run in college at the lower D1 level, is there a general culture of PED use? Should my kid expect to be approached or introduced to PEDs during his time as a track athlete? Is it a discussion worth having with him in conjunction with the recreational drug talks?
What percent of NCAA athletes at the 2025 Championships are on PEDs?
I say at least 30%
Quite a few of the sprinters,and field athletes would be,and most of it would be in the top division.. Nowhere near as many would dope in the lower divisions,and probably not so many distance runners,in any division.
I run for a solid d1 program and this is my 2 cents. The ncaa anti doping protocols are an absolute joke. In my 4 years I have only been drug tested twice. Also, urine tests like they do won’t even detect some of the most significant methods of cheating (epo). If the ncaa so clearly wants to be a professional league it’s time to start doing some professional level drug testing. Regular tests, blood passports, etc
as far as how many athletes are doping I think there’s probably a fair number of international distance runners who are but I don’t think near as many sprinters/throwers/jumpers.
In the NCAA probably low like 3% but of the top runners, I would say 20-25%. I think sprints have more issues with steroids but epo/tues are probably extremely high for 800m and above runners. Whether you count TUEs as doping is up to you..... But I think that is most common way to get around the rules.
What percent of NCAA athletes at the 2025 Championships are on PEDs?
I say at least 30%
Higher than you think, spoke w a coach at a top d1 program said it was everywhere. Testing is non existent
All distance runners can do EPO , they don’t do blood tests. It’s a big percentage. Remember that Florida 1500m guy from India. Only tested positive at the national India championships because the NCAA testing is a joke
As a parent with a kid getting ready to run in college at the lower D1 level, is there a general culture of PED use? Should my kid expect to be approached or introduced to PEDs during his time as a track athlete? Is it a discussion worth having with him in conjunction with the recreational drug talks?
If this culture exists, tell him to be a whistleblower and blow this thing wide open.