'Gladiatorial show' undermines integrity of sports

The "Enhanced Games", which will hold its inaugural competition for May 2026 in Las Vegas, with swimming, athletics and weightlifting on the agenda, is nothing but part of the US-backed publicity campaign against the World Anti-Doping Agency amid high tensions between the United States Anti-Doping Agency and the global anti-doping body.

The "Enhanced Games" is meant to be the first event of its kind to support so-called performance-enhancing drugs and not follow the rules of the WADA, according to its founder.

Founded by London-based Australian businessman Aron D'Souza, the event would allow athletes to use "performance-enhancing substances" without being subject to drug tests. According to D'Souza, athletes are entitled to do what they wish with their own bodies, and the International Olympic Committee is "corrupt" and not paying them enough.