At least ten million children worldwide are involved in competitive sports while using performance-enhancing substances, according to an investigation by ARD’s doping editorial team reported by Schweizer Radio und Fernsehen (SRF).
German investigative Hajo Seppelt described the findings as the “darkest chapter in world sports,” following a six-year inquiry into the use of anabolic steroids, hormones, and injection cures among minors across more than 50 countries, SRF reported. The reporting indicates that young athletes are frequently given these substances under the guise of vitamins or nutritional supplements by trainers, state systems, or ambitious parents.
Ernst König, director of Swiss Sport Integrity, told SRF that if these findings are confirmed, the scale of child doping in international sports would be “enormously shocking — and tragic for the children affected,” adding that the revelations demand immediate action.
Statistical Projections From Global Data
The estimated total of ten million affected youths is derived from United Nations data showing that between 195 million and 260 million children aged eight to 17 participate in competitive sports worldwide, sportschau.de reported. By comparing this baseline against 44 confidential surveys and studies across 15 countries where five to six percent of young respondents admitted to encountering doping, researchers established the baseline figure.
Paulo David, former secretary of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child and author of Human Rights in Youth Sport, told sportschau.de that the data reveals a massive systemic failure where nothing substantial is being done to protect youth athletes.
David said that concealed doping practices, similar to historical state-sponsored programs such as those in the former East Germany, mean the actual number of affected children could be even higher than ten million.
The ARD documentation highlights a stark contrast between the estimated scale of youth doping and official detection rates. Internationally, fewer than 100 junior athletes fail doping controls each year, meaning that roughly 0.001 percent of those allegedly consuming prohibited substances are caught, sportschau.de reported.
Pressure on International Sports Institutions
Seppelt criticized international organizations for failing to address the crisis adequately, noting that out of 221 national anti-doping agencies surveyed worldwide, only a single organization classified the targeting of minors online as a significant problem, according to Radio Central. He also pointed out that the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and UNESCO have remained largely inactive regarding child doping.
In regions such as India, journalists found massive quantities of doping substances discarded at training facilities, where young athletes stated on camera that they felt forced to use banned agents to remain competitive in endurance and strength sports, Radio Central reported. In the Dominican Republic, trainers systematically administer performance-enhancing drugs to young baseball prospects to prepare them for American professional leagues and secure a share of future contracts.
“In the general rule, children and youths feel under unbelievable expectation pressure or are pushed into doping,” Seppelt told Radio Central.
Prevention and Testing in Switzerland
In Switzerland, national authorities focus primarily on education and early intervention. König told SRF that Swiss Sport Integrity operates under the guiding principle of “prevention before control,” educating young athletes about health risks and unintentional anti-doping violations before they face formal testing.
Swiss Sport Integrity has no hard data on the use of doping among minors, SRF reported.
Geheimsache Doping: Kinder Erscheint Im November Auf ARD
The six-part investigative series titled Geheimsache Doping: Kinder is scheduled for release in German and English on November 13 in the ARD Mediathek, Presseportal reported. Television broadcasts of all six episodes will air on ARD beginning at 23:30 local time on November 16, following the live broadcast of the UEFA Nations League match between Germany and the Netherlands.
Worth a look
