New Games Allow Drugs: Athletes Face Bans

The Enhanced Games will allow performance-enhancing drugs, unlike traditional sports. Athletes who join could face bans from major sporting bodies.
By Newsroom | Sports, Controversies |

The Enhanced Games, a novel multi-sport event allowing the use of performance-enhancing drugs, is slated to commence, with initial reports pointing towards a budget in the tens of millions of euros. This venture, conceptualized by Aron D'Souza, an Australian entrepreneur, champions the idea of pushing human physical limits and offering athletes greater financial compensation than traditionally seen in conventional sports.

Enhanced Games: What are they, who is behind them, and who will be competing? - 1

==The core premise of the Enhanced Games centers on the sanctioned use of doping substances, with health professionals reportedly involved in curating individualized "cocktails" of drugs for each competitor and sport.== This approach has ignited widespread condemnation from established sporting bodies, including the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), who have vowed to ban any participants.

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Several high-profile athletes have reportedly signaled their intent to compete. Among them are Fred Kerley and Emmanuel Matadi in athletics, and swimmers such as James Magnussen, Kristián Goloméev, Marius Kusch, and Ben Proud, alongside weightlifters Boady Santavy and Wesley Kitts. French sprinter Mouhamadou Fall has publicly stated his participation, framing it as an opportunity to explore the boundaries of human capability rather than a conventional doping act.

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Enhanced Games: What are they, who is behind them, and who will be competing? - 3

The financial backing for this endeavor appears substantial, with venture capitalist Peter Thiel, a co-founder of PayPal and Palantir, reportedly contributing significant funds. The exact sports featured are anticipated to include swimming, athletics, and weightlifting.

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Concerns are rife within scientific and sporting communities. Experts anticipate anabolic steroids to be a prevalent substance, with participants potentially resorting to combinations of drugs, including growth hormones and EPO, alongside treatments for managing side effects. The French Athletics Federation, the French Ministry of Sports, and the National Olympic Committee of France (CNOSF) have specifically denounced Fall's involvement, citing the explicit authorization of performance-enhancing substances. The conclusion of the Enhanced Games is reportedly set to feature a concert by the band The Killers.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What are the Enhanced Games and why are they controversial?
The Enhanced Games are a new sports event where athletes are allowed to use performance-enhancing drugs. This is controversial because major sporting groups like the IOC and WADA do not allow these drugs and plan to ban athletes who participate.
Q: Which athletes have said they will compete in the Enhanced Games?
Athletes like Fred Kerley, Emmanuel Matadi, James Magnussen, and Boady Santavy have reportedly shown interest in competing. French sprinter Mouhamadou Fall has publicly stated he will compete.
Q: What do sporting bodies like the IOC and WADA think about the Enhanced Games?
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) have strongly criticized the Enhanced Games. They have stated that any athletes participating in this event will be banned from traditional sports.
Q: What is the main goal of the Enhanced Games?
The main goal is to push human physical limits by allowing drug use and to offer athletes more money than they usually get in sports. The founder, Aron D'Souza, believes it's about exploring human capabilities.
Q: Who is funding the Enhanced Games?
The Enhanced Games have significant financial backing. Reports suggest that venture capitalist Peter Thiel is providing substantial funds for the event.