UK Anti-Doping has issued a stark warning about the growing dangers of image and performance-enhancing drugs being promoted to young people through social media. During Clean Sport Week (May 11-17), chief executive Jane Rumble revealed concerning findings from a survey of over 1,000 people aged 16-25.

The survey found a third of young people have been exposed to online misinformation promoting IPEDs after seeing them advertised on social media. UKAD is particularly concerned about SARMs (Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators), which are being falsely marketed as a safer alternative to anabolic steroids. None of these products have been approved for human consumption and they are banned in sport.

Forty-two per cent of those surveyed reported seeing "superhuman" or "shortcut results" content at least once a week, while 19 per cent saw it daily. Rumble warned that health risks include loss of libido, heart inflammation, and liver damage or failure – which can be life-threatening. The campaign carries the tagline 'Built not Bought'.