Rhys Lucero:
http://www.steroidinformation.com/history.htm http://www.steroids-info.com/history.htm
In the '50s, many Russian and European athletes discovered that anabolic steroids were beneficial to meet their training goals. They soon started crushing world records in weightlifting events. In the mid '50s, Dr. Ziegler discovered that the steroids were behind much of the improvement in athletic ability. Soon after the discovery, Dr. Ziegler and his labs were producing Methandrostenolone (Dianabol). Ten years later, the anabolic steroids were available on the open market. It wasn't until 1975 that anabolic steroids were officially banned from Olympic competition.
The trail of this drug use is apparent today by comparing the weightlifting records of relatively clean countries with the progression of world records.
British Weightlifting Record http://www.bwla.co.uk/
American Weightlifting Records http://www.msbn.tv/usavision/displayPage.aspx?id=316
Progression of World Weightlifting Records http://www.sport-komplett.de/sport-komplett/sportarten/g/gewichtheben/rek/1_1.html
C&Jerk 237.5 kg 8/25/04 Wassili Alexejew – SOV 1972 237.5@110+
Total 430.0 kg 8/25/04 Wassili Alexejew – SOV 1975 430@110+
As you can see, between the years when steroids became widely available (1965) and when they were banned in Olympic competition (1975), the USA ceased to be competitive for international medals.