Does IFBB Allow Steroids?

By Ali Hammad June 13, 2024 04:56

Photo By Shobhit Kukreti

The International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness (IFBB) is a not-for-profit international amateur sport governing body.

At IFBB, we only recognize established national federations that are in good standing with their national sport authorities to be represented by IFBB in their respective countries.

So, here we have dived into an in-depth analysis of the IFBB's stance on steroids.

The controversy over IFBB and steroids

Questions have been raised about the IFBB's position regarding steroid use, as it has been considered effective in bodybuilding but problematic.

And while the IFBB forbids steroids in competition, the organization has been criticized for not taking stronger action to ensure that the use of the banned substances among competitors is minimized.

Compliance with WADA regulations and limits on steroids

In 2004, the International Federation of Body Builders (IFBB) signed a treaty that is an instrument of the World Anti-Doping Code (WADC) and the WADA International Standard prohibited list.

The WADA publishes the list of banned substances in sports, and the IFBB follows the WADA list and makes the drugs on the WADA list not allowed to be used.

The list of banned substances is updated every year by the agency, with substances banned from use based on enhancement of performance, risk to health, and potential to violate the spirit of the sport.

IFBB's Position on Steroids

Despite the IFBB's message that using steroids is illegal and not a recommended action, numerous professional bodybuilders have used steroids consistently.

The IFBB says its competitors undergo drug tests, but it has been criticized too, and many people believe that professional bodybuilders take steroids to gain muscle size, and some have even been caught and disqualified.

Bodybuilding Steroid Ban Results

Proponents of the Steroid Ban

Those in favor of a steroid ban often focus on the risks of steroid use and the health of athletes.

They feel prohibiting steroids can also enhance the health character of the sport and foster a lifelong interest in fitness and power.

Opposition to the Steroid Ban

Others believe that if steroids were banned, bodybuilding would lose some of the hype, eroticism, and mysticism that attract a successful audience.

Adding to this is the assertion that the testing methods for tracking steroid levels are not infallible and that prohibiting steroids may not even address the heart of the problem, as athletes could turn instead to other federations where such rules are not enforced.

On the whole

A hot topic of discussion amongst bodybuilding fans is whether the IFBB is providing a division for steroid users to compete in.

Its recent declaration of non-compliance, along with the IFBB's willingness to comply with WADA's guidelines, is part of a broader effort to tackle the problem of cheaters within professional bodybuilding.

The effects of these events on the future of the sport and the steps the IFBB has taken to protect themselves and their anti-doping regulations should be the main focus of this debate.

All in all, IFBB steroids policy and anti-doping efforts in bodybuilding are nuanced political and social concerns that touch upon a wide array of issues in and out of the restrictions of professional sports.

This underscores the emergence and implementation of broader and more ethical standards if bodybuilding is to preserve and protect the essential spirit of the sport and if it has any chance of entering the Olympics.