If they're bigger, harder, more ripped than the pros of the 1970s and 1980, who were all juiced to the gills, then yes it is unlikely that the winners of Team U are natural.
1) By and large, The TU guys don't look bigger than pros from the 70s and 80s to me.
2) The TU guys being harder isn't necessarily an indicator of drug use. Remember that in the old days, bodybuilders used to get marked down for appearing too ripped at a contest. From what I've read, that happened to Franco Columbu and Vince Gironda.
I am Dan, an American here in Taiwan. I am here w my good friend, the former Mr. Taiwan.
First of all, there is no need to curse and use profanity towards our Taiwanese friends.
Secondly, my friend here is merely trying to explain that the world champion competition would be a lot more exciting and more challenging if Americans Top bodybuilders would enter the competition (similar to the World Cup and Olympics).
He has explained to me that during the early 80s when he was competing, Americans were very formidable. Now the rest of world has lost a lot of respect for American bodybuilders in World Championships as they often fall in very low placements. What can Americans do to regain their reputation on the world stage?
Your friend forgot to explain a few things.
1) In the 80s, the class winners of the NPC Nationals represented the USA at the Universe. That's why they were so formidable. If I recall correctly, guys like Lee Haney, Bob Paris, and Gary Strydom were among the names of NPC National champs who went on to win their classes (if not the overall) at the Universe.
2) When the IFBB introduced drug-testing at the Universe in 1990, the NPC Nationals did the same. That was, however, the only time the Nationals was tested. Coincidentally (or not), the last time the NPC Nationals winners sent a team to the Univese was 1990, headed by overall champion, Alq Gurley (who, I think, won his class there).
3) In 1991, no official testing was done to field a Universe team. However, the NPC asked if anyone was interested in going to the Universe. Those who volunteered were drug-tested. Many of you know that, among the heavyweights, the highest placing guy who volunteered to go and pass the drug-test was Ronnie Coleman. He won his class at the World Championships, earned a pro card, and qualified for the 1992 Olympia.
By and large, the NPC Nationals class winners don't care about going to the World Amateur Championships/Universe, because they already have their pro cards and don't want to submit to any drug screening.
The Team Universe was created to solve that problem, thus making a desginated team to go to the World Championships. As I stated before, the TU became a pro qualifier itself, when the Universe kept being held in countries where the NPC felt there'd be a security risk to the American team.