WADA and the Enhanced Games
By Prof Dr Ian Blackshaw
The President of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), Witold Banka, has called upon the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) to do more to help to prevent the Enhanced Games, comprising track and field, short-course swimming and weightlifting and which allows competitors to use performance-enhancing substances under medical supervision, from taking place, for the first time, in Las Vegas, USA, in May of next year.
Banka stated that:
"Sometimes we don't know what to say about this ridiculous idea, because from the ethical point of view, from the moral point of view, how is it possible that people come to agree to compete, taking all these prohibited substances?”
And added that:
"It's completely against everything that we are doing …. [and] …. very dangerous.”
Travis Tygart, the USADA chief executive, agrees, describing the Enhanced Games as a “dangerous clown show, not real sport.”
Aron D'Souza, the Australian businessman and the founder of the Enhanced Games, considers that athletes should be entitled to do what they wish with their own bodies.
Those supporting the Enhanced Games also claim that they will become the 'Olympics of the future', allowing athletes to take drugs in a bid to break world records.
However, the Enhanced Games have been strongly criticised for their potential impact on athletes' health, as well as for undermining fair play.
Amongst the athletes, who have agreed to take part, are the British swimmer, Ben Proud, and the American sprinter, Fred Kerley.
It is not clear what can be done, from a legal point of view, to prevent the Enhanced Games taking place as planned.
Prof Dr Ian Blackshaw may be contacted by e-mail at ‘
