WADA condemns Enhanced Games as dangerous, irresponsible

The Star

22-05-2025

OTTAWA, May 22 (Xinhua) -- The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) on Thursday condemned the Enhanced Games as a dangerous and irresponsible concept, warning that involved athletes would risk committing anti-doping rule violations.
This event would jeopardize the health and well-being of athletes as it seeks to promote the use of powerful substances and methods by athletes for the purposes of entertainment and marketing, said WADA in a statement.
Over the years, there have been many examples of athletes suffering serious long-term side effects from their use of prohibited substances and methods. Some have died, said WADA, noting that a focus of the organizers is to sell their products and to play down the associated risks.
Inducing elite athletes to use their profiles to promote the use of prohibited and potentially dangerous substances is harmful, in particular for young athletes, WADA added.
WADA warned athletes and support personnel who wish to participate in sport regulated by the World Anti-Doping Code (Code), that if they were to take part in the Enhanced Games, they would risk committing anti-doping rule violations under the Code.
They would also put their reputations on the line, as they would risk forever being associated with doping, said WADA.
WADA called on all governments and law enforcement agencies to assess whether athletes who admit to taking performance-enhancing drugs, or the physicians who supply or administer those substances, may be in breach of criminal laws or professional rules, whether in their own countries or wherever the event takes place.
The so-called Enhanced Games, including swimming, athletics and weightlifting events, will take place in Las Vegas, the United States, in May 2026.