Dressel participated in the 1984 Olympic heptathlon, where she ended ninth,[1] and was fourth in the 1986 European Championships.
She died at age 26 due to sudden multiple organ failure, which was at least partly triggered by long-term steroid abuse.
[2][3] According to Time magazine, Dressel had a very laissez-faire attitude about medication: she stocked large amounts of medicines, and when her mother asked her about it, she said: "These are all harmless drugs.
[2] After taking additional medication to relieve back pain, her body went into allergic-toxic shock on April 8, causing rapid multiple organ failure.
[3] After her death, a 120-page report was filed where Dressel's death has been officially deemed "due to unknown reasons",[5] but German doping analyst Werner Franke said: The fatal incident that killed Birgit Dressel was undoubtedly triggered by anabolic doping.