Witold Banka, president of the World Anti-Doping Agency, has urged the US Anti-Doping Agency to “do more” to stop the Enhanced Games from taking place.
Banka described the Enhanced Games as “very dangerous” and an “irresponsible event” at an event held in London on Thursday, speaking to reporters at the time.
The inaugural Enhanced Games, which will include track and field, short-course swimming, and weightlifting competitions, are set for May 2026 in Las Vegas.
How is it possible for people to agree to compete with all these prohibited substances, according to Banka, “Sometimes we don’t know what to say about this ridiculous idea, from the standpoint of ethics and morality?
It goes against everything we do, to be the case. It is a very risky situation.
- September 10th
With recent tensions between the two organizations, Banka claimed he was “very interested” to work alongside the United States Anti-Doping Agency (Usada), but that “it has to be based on mutual respect.”
Usada stated earlier this year that it “fully supported” the US government’s decision to withhold $3.6 million (£2.8 million) from the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada).
That was brought on by a dispute over how to handle a doping scandal involving Chinese swimmers who had tested positive for a banned substance months prior to the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.
Wada was found to not have handled the case improperly or exhibit bias toward the 23 swimmers by an independent investigation.
Banka continued on Thursday, adding, “We really want our US colleagues to do more to prevent this event from occurring.”
They may lobby for some legal causes, they say. Despite Usada’s general comments, it’s time to try to persuade those responsible for funding this to be dangerous.
In response to Banka’s remarks, BBC Sport reached Usada.
The Enhanced Games are what?
In 2023, the Enhanced Games were developed as a concept, and some doping was permitted while under medical supervision.
In contrast to the list Wada allows for elite athletes, only substances that have been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) can be taken.
The proposal, according to those who support it, will be the “Olympics of the future,” allowing athletes to use drugs to break “world records.”
According to founder Aron D’Souza, athletes should be able to use their own bodies however they please.
However, the Australian businessman’s idea has drawn strong criticism for its potential negative effects on athletes’ health and unfairness.
Source: BBC
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