The former head of East German sport, Manfred Ewald, 74, was given a 22-month suspended prison sentence Tuesday for the systematic doping of the country's young athletes.
In the same trial, his co-accused, the former East German sports medical officer, Manfred Hoppner, 66, was given an 18-month suspended sentence.
Contrary to a prosecution request, they were not additionally asked to pay fines.
The two, charged with complicity in causing bodily harm, were accused of administering performance-enhancing drugs to drive young athletes to victory for the international glory of the East German state.
The purpose was to show the supposed greater vitality of the communist system.
But the results for the young victims were devastating.
Girls in particular, pumped full of male hormones, sometimes while still in their early teens, developed deep voices, thick body hair and bulging muscles, and ceased to menstruate.
Eventually, years later, they suffered serious disorders of the liver, kidney and heart, or developed cancer.
In the trial, which began May 2, the two defendants were originally charged in respect of 142 young swimmers and athletes, nearly all girls.
On June 27, the state prosecutor demanded a two-year suspended prison sentence and a 4,500 German marks ($2,153) fine against both of them - (AFP)
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