The Mr. Olympia contest was the brainchild of Joe Weider. In 1965, Joe organized the first edition of Mr. Olympia. However, Joe and his brother Ben Weider had created the regulatory body which organized the Mr. Olympia contest in 1946. They named it the International Bodybuilding Federation (IFBB).

As the sport evolved, each competitor strived to build more muscle, get more shredded and become more vascular. Over the years, multiple former Mr. Olympia winners have admitted to using steroids. Thus, people have always had questions regarding steroid use in Mr. Olympia competitions. 

Does the premier bodybuilding competition allow steroids?

In 2004, the IFBB adopted the World Anti-Doping Code. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) regulates and updates the list of banned substances in sports each year. The IFBB also follows and prohibits the drugs WADA has flagged. The agency updates the list of banned substances on the January 1 of each year.

WADA bans a substance based on three points. WADA bans a drug when it conforms to two out of three points. Three criteria are: the drug has the potential to enhance or enhances athletic performance. A drug puts an athlete’s health at risk or has the potential to do so. It violates the spirit of the sport (giving the athlete an unfair advantage over his peers.)

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Hence, it’s safe to say the IFBB does not allow its athletes to use steroids for the Mr. Olympia contest. Organizations often strip athletes who get caught doping of any titles they might have won.

A list of prohibited substances 

Anabolic steroids

Bodybuilders often take these drugs orally or inject them into the muscle. These include testosterone, stanozolol, trenbolone acetate, nandrolone, and many more.

Beta-2-agonists

Athletes use these substances to pile on muscle mass and boost strength. Clenbuterol, formoterol, and salbutamol are common examples. Hence, the International Olympic Committee calls these substances “Anabolic agents and stimulants,”

Growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor

Bodybuilders use growth hormone (rhGH) and insulin-like growth factor (rhIGF-I). These substances increase muscle mass while boosting stamina and endurance.  

Diuretics

Steroid users take diuretics to cleanse traces of other drugs. However, traces often remain in the system, even after using diuretics. Diuretics dilute the urine, making it harder to detect other drugs in the system. They also help bodybuilders achieve better conditioning. 

Stimulants

Athletes use stimulants for their performance-enhancing capabilities. These substances include cocaine and amphetamines (ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, caffeine, and related substances)

Erythropoietin

EPO promotes the production of red blood cells in the bone marrow. It also helps boost the cardiovascular capacity of athletes.

Cannabinoids

Cannabis contains tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). While not proven, THC can have potential performance-enhancing effects during training and in competition. 

Glucocorticoids

Like GH and IGH, glucocorticoids also boost stamina and endurance. However, they do not affect muscle mass.

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While the use of PEDs in bodybuilding is no secret, the IFBB follows the stringent guidelines that WADA sets.