Are you suggesting that drugs today are as prevalent as in the 70s and 80s? I don't see any evidence whatsoever to support this.
As for the fast times:
*The men's 100m time really has not progressed too much over the past 20 years, especially when you take in to account the improved track surfaces, increased participation in the sport and extended careers that sprinters today can have due to the influx of money in to the sport.
*The men's 200m was really due for a breakthrough. I think the times are starting to fall in to line with what they should have been and that is because (in addition to the above mentioned reasons) you now have 200m specialists for the first time in recent memory.
*The 400m really has not progressed time wise at all. We had 2 guys under 44. This has happened up to 15 years ago.
With the lack of, or very slow record progression, seen in these events, and the all but halting of record breaking in women's speed power events; combined with improved sports science, rehabilitation, extended careers, greater world wide participation, faster tracks, better and lighter spikes, and more financial incentive I'd say that there's NO reason to support your argument that drug use is as extensive as it was in the past.
Don't listen to everything the drug cheats and their coaches have to say. It's in their best interest to say that everyone is using. The facts point to the fact that drug use is WAAAY down. Is it low? Hell no. But is it down from the 70s and 80s? Hell yes.
ELITETRACK Founder