Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleEnhanced Games founder Aron D'Souza (Enhanced Games)The inaugural Enhanced Games, a controversial multi-sport competition allowing performance-enhancing drugs, is scheduled to take place in Las Vegas, with the first event getting underway on Sunday 24 May.Founded by Dr Aron D’Souza, the event permits most performance-enhancing drugs, provided they are legal in the US and prescribed by a doctor, with athletes required to disclose their usage. The Games will feature three main sports – swimming, athletics, and weightlifting – and offer significant financial incentives, including $250,000 for event winners and a $1million bonus for breaking official world records in the 100m sprint or 50m freestyle. High-profile athletes such as American sprinter Fred Kerley and British Olympic silver medallist Ben Proud are among approximately 40 competitors who have publicly confirmed their participation. The event has faced caused controversy and faced strong condemnation from major sports bodies, including the International Olympic Committee and the World Anti-Doping Agency, which have labelled it "dangerous and irresponsible”, warning that participating athletes risk bans from mainstream competitions. Thank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in
What is the Enhanced Games and why is it controversial?
Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleEnhanced Games founder Aron D'Souza (Enhanced Games)The inaugural Enhanced Games, a controversial multi-sport competition allowing performance-enhancing drugs, is scheduled to take place in Las Vegas, with the first event getting underway on Sunday 24 May.Founded by Dr Aron D’Souza, the event permits most performance-enhancing drugs, provided they are legal in the US and prescribed by a doctor, with athletes required to disclose their usage. The Games will feature three main sports – swimming, athletics, and weightlifting – and offer significant financial incentives, including $250,000 for event winners and a $1million bonus for breaking official world records in the 100m sprint or 50m freestyle. High-profile athletes such as American sprinter Fred Kerley and British Olympic silver medallist Ben Proud are among approximately 40 competitors who have publicly confirmed their participation. The event has faced caused controversy and faced strong condemnation from major sports bodies, including the International Olympic Committee and the World Anti-Doping Agency, which have labelled it "dangerous and irresponsible”, warning that participating athletes risk bans from mainstream competitions. Thank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in
