Usain Bolt... Bloody 'ell!

Maybe your mates aren't on gear, I don't know every single elite athlete personally in every sport, but a large proportion are, and I know the kind of reputation and money that is at stake.

i just think you're plain wrong on the proportion of athletes on gear, and it's wrong to slander people on the basis of some half-baked anecdotes.

most athletes make fuck all money and simply can't afford good drugs (no team structure like cycling/football, not much sponsorship apart from the very lucky few/olympic champions, etc). the days of national sports federations sponsoring pharmaceutical labs are over.

cheap drugs are easily detected, and therefore not a viable option for athletes who are tested randomly and after comps.

the majority of steroid users are normal dudes in gyms who want to get big and don't have to worry about being tested, and i reckon your mate's merc knows it.