Methandienone Involved in Over 800 Confirmed Doping Cases
July 10, 2025Methandienone has been involved in 813 confirmed anti-doping rule violations across more than 50 countries, according to figures compiled by the Anti-Doping Database. The substance, classified as an anabolic steroid, ranks as the second most frequently sanctioned substance globally, after stanozolol.
The cases span several decades and include athletes from a wide range of sports, with most violations concentrated in weightlifting, powerlifting and track and field. India accounts for the highest number of methandienone-related sanctions, with 138 confirmed cases.
Sanctions and testing patterns
Methandienone was added to the Prohibited List prior to the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal. It is currently listed under the S1.1 category (Anabolic Agents) by the World Anti-Doping Agency.
The majority of cases involving methandienone resulted in standard-length sanctions. A total of 348 violations led to two-year bans, while 337 were sanctioned with four-year suspensions. Twenty athletes received lifetime bans following violations involving the substance. Sanctions ranging from one to twelve years were also recorded in a smaller number of cases.
Test timing data shows that 714 violations were based on in-competition testing. Out-of-competition tests accounted for 149 cases, while 20 violations stemmed from non-analytical investigations such as intelligence-based follow-up or tip-offs.
Among the cases with available gender data, 969 involved male athletes and 135 involved female athletes, representing 88 and 12 percent respectively.
Country and sport distribution
India, with 138 confirmed cases, represents approximately 17 percent of all global methandienone sanctions. Other countries with high case counts include Sweden with 61, Russia with 49, the Czech Republic with 42, and Iran with 39. Egypt, the United Kingdom, Ukraine, South Africa and Belarus each registered 20 or more cases.
In terms of sport, weightlifting accounts for 198 violations involving methandienone. Powerlifting follows with 166 cases, while track and field has 165. Other sports include bodybuilding (46 cases), rugby (42), wrestling (22), swimming (19), cycling (16), arm wrestling (13) and football (12).
Annual statistics show a concentration of methandienone cases between 2015 and 2019. In each of those years, between 28 and 57 cases were confirmed. The number peaked during 2017, 2018 and 2019, each year recording more than 50 violations. Case numbers have declined in recent years, with nine confirmed in 2024 and one so far in 2025.
The Anti-Doping Database includes publicly documented cases from as early as 1968, sourced from national anti-doping organizations, international federations and official disciplinary records.