The Enhanced Games- Redefining What the Body Is Capable Of.
By Dáire McConville
A new controversial multi-sports event known as The Enhanced Games has been proposed internationally to athletes who have competed in Olympic Games or World Championships previously in their career. The event is intended to follow the Olympic style format but with a questionable twist, operating under quite different rules from that of the Olympics.
The use of performance enhancing drugs (PEDs) is not only being allowed, but rather encouraged under medical supervision, without the athletes being subject to strict drug tests that are so normal to competitive athletes today.
The Games were founded by Australian businessman Aron D’Souza who wanted to organise international sports competitions built around doping and believes that ‘athletes should be entitled to do what they wish with their own bodies’. [1] The concept was first launched quite recently in 2023 where the opportunity to take performance enhancing drugs that could lead to major achievements in sport was established.
It was presented that sports stars who make major breakthroughs in their respective field would receive large cash prizes, and setting a new world record would earn competitors up to $1 million. Those behind the proposal have a strong belief that professional athletes do not earn enough recognition or money for the amount of hours that go into their rigorous training schedules, and that they shouldn’t have to rely on sponsorship deals in order to survive, something only many of the top athletes have the privilege of receiving.
The Enhanced Games have said that 100% of athletes that compete across their games will receive financial compensation, with appearance fees and rank-based prize money. A staggering 58% of elite athletes globally are financially unstable, and 59% of US Olympians take home less than $25,000 annually, something the Games founders are aiming to eradicate. [2]
The Enhanced Games have stated that they do not support the unmonitored, overuse of banned substances (such as cocaine), instead they promote performance enhancement that is done safely, responsibly and under proper medical supervision. Backed by a team of world-leading experts in their respective fields, the games aim to support both scientific and medical integrity to advance human performance.
According to the team behind the Enhanced Games, an apparent 44% of world-class athletes admit to using banned substances, with only 1% getting caught, resulting in high-risk substances being taken that have not been researched and have potential to jeopardise the health of athletes. The games aim to provide transparency by embracing these realities in a safer more monitored way. [3]
The games have been heavily criticised and appear highly controversial to many, especially the UK Anti-doping Athlete Commission (UKad) who strongly condemned the event, stating ‘The Games represent a reckless departure from what sport is all about, and its fundamental values of fairness and integrity. Elite athletes master their sport through years of hard work and dedication’. [4] Concerns are surrounded on both athlete health with short and long-term use of PEDs as well as sporting integrity. Participants may face consequences under existing sporting federations with many already implementing complete bans including the World Aquatics for swimmers.
Despite this backlash, The Games appear to be ramping up their efforts at a successful first event with the recruitment of some high-profile athletes already. Olympic swimmer Ben Proud became the first British athlete to join early September, and in doing so has been banned from international competition. The swimmer who previously won Olympic silver in Paris 2024 in the 50m freestyle believes that it is ‘a very cutting-edge aspect of sport and gives me the opportunity to see how far I can take things.’ The swimmer also admitted to feeling really secure and that he is in capable hands to do his very best. [5]
The 6th fastest man in the world, American sprinter Fred Kerley became the first track athlete to join the games. Following his bronze medal in the 100m sprint also in Paris 2024, Kerley had already been provisionally suspended for an alleged anti-doping whereabouts violation, a violation he has stated, will be contested, admitting his reasoning to signing up being that the world record has always been the ultimate goal of his career, to become the fastest human ever to live.
The Enhanced Games represents a bold and controversial shift in the world of competitive sports. The event challenges the fairness and integrity that surrounds elite athletes. Supporters see the Games as a groundbreaking science-driven event; however, the critics are warning of the health risks and ethical concerns. The inaugural Enhanced Games are due to take place between 21st-24th May 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada at Resorts World, hosting international sport events including track and field, swimming, and weightlifting. Will these new Games redefine the future of sport? Or will they create super unrealistic sports stars?
References
[1]- https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/articles/c1j5w5kgn50o
[2]- https://www.enhanced.com/pay-athletes
[3]- https://www.enhanced.com/science-is-real
[4]- https://www.ukad.org.uk/news/statement-from-ukad-athlete-commission-on-the-enhanced-games
[5]- https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/swimming/videos/c9qnjwjl9l5o
