Aaron D’Souza, an Australian-born, London-based businessman, has a bold vision for the future of sports: an Olympics without drug testing where athletes can unleash their full potential with the help of performance-enhancing substances.
D’Souza is the president of the Enhanced Games, a proposed event that he says “will obliterate all the world records” by “unlocking human potential.” He claims that doping is already widespread in sports and that his idea would level the playing field and make sports more exciting and entertaining.
“The Enhanced Games is about celebrating human achievement. It’s about celebrating what humans are capable of when they push themselves to the limit,” he told AP News. “It’s not about cheating or harming anyone. It’s about giving athletes a choice and a platform to showcase their talents.”
D’Souza said he has secured funding from private investors and sponsors, and that he is in talks with several countries to host the first Enhanced Games in 2025. He said he expects to attract hundreds of athletes from various disciplines, including track and field, swimming, cycling, weightlifting and martial arts.
He said he has also consulted with medical experts and ethicists to ensure the safety and welfare of the participants. He said the Enhanced Games would have strict rules and regulations, such as age limits, health checks, informed consent and transparency. He said athletes would be free to choose what substances they want to use, but they would have to disclose them publicly.
“We’re not encouraging anyone to take anything they don’t want to take. We’re not forcing anyone to do anything they don’t want to do. We’re just providing an alternative option for those who want to explore their full potential,” he said.
However, D’Souza’s plan has met with fierce criticism from anti-doping authorities, sports officials and athletes, who say it is unethical, dangerous and contrary to the spirit of fair play.
“The Enhanced Games is a terrible idea that would undermine the integrity and credibility of sport. It would send a wrong message to young people and society that doping is acceptable and beneficial,” said David Howman, the former director general of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
“Doping is not only cheating, but also harmful to the health and well-being of athletes. It can cause serious short-term and long-term effects, such as cardiovascular problems, hormonal imbalances, mental disorders, infertility and cancer,” he added.
Howman said WADA would not recognize or sanction the Enhanced Games, and that any athlete who participates in it would face a lifetime ban from Olympic and other major sports events.
“The Olympic Games is the pinnacle of human achievement in sport. It is based on the values of excellence, respect and friendship. It is not about who has the best drugs or the most money. It is about who has the best skills, talent and dedication,” he said.
