# Is it generally accepted that all the WSM competitors use steroids?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-generally-accepted-that-all-the-wsm-competitors-use-steroids/374956
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [October 2, 2006, 11:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-generally-accepted-that-all-the-wsm-competitors-use-steroids/374956 "2006-10-02T11:39:51Z")
**Posts on this page:** 12
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@pool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pool)
#### Post date: [October 2, 2006, 11:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-generally-accepted-that-all-the-wsm-competitors-use-steroids/374956/1 "2006-10-02T11:39:51Z")
You know those World’s Strongest Man competitions where competitors lift cars, tires, and fridges like its going out of style. In general do most of these athletes without a doubt use steroids? It seems impossible that competitors like Mariusz Pudzianowski [http://www.strongman.net.pl/img/22.jpg](http://www.strongman.net.pl/img/22.jpg)
[Krachtsporters -](http://www.realdutchpower.nl/nieuwsoverzicht2003/mariusz3.jpg)
[http://www.robertuniverse.com/images/athlete%20alastair%20with%20Mariusz.jpg](http://www.robertuniverse.com/images/athlete%20alastair%20with%20Mariusz.jpg) do not use steroids, unless he is just genetically very gifted, while other competitors like Zydrunas Savickas [http://www.puikis.com/savickas/images/200x375\_savickas.jpg](http://www.puikis.com/savickas/images/200x375_savickas.jpg)
[Krachtsporters -](http://www.realdutchpower.nl/index2005/200kg_loglift.jpg)
I have an easier time believing don’t use steroids.
Answers? Opinions?
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### Author:  [@pool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pool)
#### Post date: [October 2, 2006, 11:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-generally-accepted-that-all-the-wsm-competitors-use-steroids/374956/2 "2006-10-02T11:41:06Z")
Oh and while we’re at it what about that Scot Mendelson guy with the record benchpress? Was he tested?
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### Author:  [@ultrafilter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultrafilter)
#### Post date: [October 2, 2006, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-generally-accepted-that-all-the-wsm-competitors-use-steroids/374956/3 "2006-10-02T13:13:09Z")
IIRC, steroids aren’t even illegal in Scandinavia and the former Soviet bloc. And if you want to compete with guys who use steroids, you gotta use steroids.
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### Author:  [@zuma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zuma)
#### Post date: [October 2, 2006, 1:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-generally-accepted-that-all-the-wsm-competitors-use-steroids/374956/4 "2006-10-02T13:16:55Z")
I’m just surprised that there was a “world’s strongest man” competition at all.
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### Author:  [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)
#### Post date: [October 2, 2006, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-generally-accepted-that-all-the-wsm-competitors-use-steroids/374956/5 "2006-10-02T13:41:48Z")
> [@zuma](#):
>
> I’m just surprised that there was a “world’s strongest man” competition at all.
They’ve been shown on US TV at least since the 70’s. And yes, they’ve all used 'roids.
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### Author:  [@pool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pool)
#### Post date: [October 2, 2006, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-generally-accepted-that-all-the-wsm-competitors-use-steroids/374956/6 "2006-10-02T22:14:07Z")
Bump\*
Anyone have any facts?
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### Author:  [@chaoticbear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chaoticbear)
#### Post date: [October 3, 2006, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-generally-accepted-that-all-the-wsm-competitors-use-steroids/374956/7 "2006-10-03T02:39:21Z")
Fact: That first guy would be kind of attractive if he didn’t shave himself. And gained a little more body fat than 0%.
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### Author:  [@StinkyBurrito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StinkyBurrito)
#### Post date: [October 3, 2006, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-generally-accepted-that-all-the-wsm-competitors-use-steroids/374956/8 "2006-10-03T14:31:39Z")
You and I have a different idea of what fact is. And how do you know he shaves? I thought Scandinavians were naturally hairless… you know… like those cats.
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### Author:  [@chaoticbear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chaoticbear)
#### Post date: [October 3, 2006, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-generally-accepted-that-all-the-wsm-competitors-use-steroids/374956/9 "2006-10-03T15:24:43Z")
Because he’s a bodybuilder, and I can’t help but think that even if he were completely hairless, he would still do it. Also, look at how much he’s balding! No man who’s balding like that doesn’t have body hair. Or at least IME.
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### Author:  [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)
#### Post date: [October 3, 2006, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-generally-accepted-that-all-the-wsm-competitors-use-steroids/374956/10 "2006-10-03T15:59:29Z")
> [@pool](#):
>
> Bump\*
> Anyone have any facts?
No facts, just opinion here. If steroids are common in sports where strength is only one aspect of your ability to win, I imagine they are almost necessary in a sport where strength is the primary aspect of winning. I also doubt there will be many facts available, it’s not like people advertise their steroid usage.
Don’t fool yourself into thinking there is a steroid look and a clean look. Jason Griimsley, a baseball pitcher recently outed as a HGH user, is not some bulked up superfreak.
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### Author:  [@WonJohnSoup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WonJohnSoup)
#### Post date: [October 3, 2006, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-generally-accepted-that-all-the-wsm-competitors-use-steroids/374956/11 "2006-10-03T16:21:18Z")
There’s a big competition out there for non-steroid users. I remember the champion I saw on the Discovery Channel being big, but not nearly as ripped as the “mainstream” body builders. I imagine any message board catering to that portion of the sport would be willing to tell you about the steroid use of the more popular competitors. Might be a little biased, though.
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### Author:  [@ultrafilter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultrafilter)
#### Post date: [October 3, 2006, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-generally-accepted-that-all-the-wsm-competitors-use-steroids/374956/12 "2006-10-03T16:36:59Z")
> [@chaoticbear](#):
>
> Because he’s a bodybuilder…
Not really, and if he were American, he might take exception to being accused as such.