The Doping-Infested Games: A Travesty Masquerading as a Sporting Event

The Enhanced Games, touted as a revolutionary new sporting event, has exposed the darkest underbelly of professional sports: the willingness to cheat and exploit loopholes. Beneath its glitzy facade, this Las Vegas spectacle is nothing but a thinly veiled attempt to profit from athletes’ desperate need for performance-enhancing substances.

Kristian Gkolomeev’s victory in the 50m freestyle, where he bested Cam McEvoy’s world record by 0.07 seconds (20.81 compared to 20.88), is only possible because of the dubious advantages afforded to him by his “supersuit”. This innovation has become an integral part of the Enhanced Games’ warped logic: if it takes performance-enhancing substances and specially designed suits to break records, then so be it.

James Magnussen’s dismal performance in both the 50m freestyle and 100m freestyle events is particularly egregious. Despite the benefits of banned substances and a “supersuit”, he still managed to finish last in both races. It raises questions about what exactly these substances are doing for him, or if it’s all just a ruse to distract from the obvious: this event is more about lining the pockets of organisers and athletes than promoting clean sport.

The Enhanced Games’ attempts at legitimacy are further undermined by the presence of athletes like Hunter Armstrong, who won the men’s 50m backstroke event but still took performance-enhancing substances under medical supervision. This “clean” swimmer’s victory is tainted by his association with an event that celebrates doping as a viable means to success.

The World Aquatics’ threat to ban athletes who participate in the Enhanced Games from competing in world championships or the Olympics might be too little, too late. The damage has already been done: this event sets a terrifying precedent that could undermine the integrity of professional sports worldwide. It’s not just about records being broken; it’s about the sport itself becoming irreparably tainted by the willingness to compromise its values.

The Enhanced Games’ warped logic is also reflected in the presence of athletes like Armstrong, who claims the “supersuit” is game-changing. But what’s truly at stake here is the very essence of fair competition and the athletes who risk their bodies for the sake of a clean game.

The Slippery Slope of Compromise

The Enhanced Games’ defenders argue that athletes are simply adapting to a new reality where performance-enhancing substances are de facto accepted. However, this line of thinking ignores the fundamental principles of fair play and clean sport, which underpin every legitimate athletic competition. By allowing – or even encouraging – athletes to take banned substances in exchange for prizes, organisers have created an environment that celebrates mediocrity over merit.

The Enhanced Games’ own admission that swimmers are either taking banned substances or wearing specially designed suits that give them an advantage is a tacit acknowledgment of the elephant in the room: doping has become the norm. Organisers claim this is an “innovation”, but it’s nothing more than a euphemism for the blatant exploitation of loopholes to get results.

The Dangers of Complicity

Athletes who choose to participate in events like the Enhanced Games – or worse, actively promote them as legitimate competitions – risk being complicit in the perpetuation of doping culture. By doing so, they compromise not only their own integrity but also that of their sport. When will we learn from past mistakes and demand a higher standard from our athletes and governing bodies?

The Clock is Ticking

The Enhanced Games’ short-term profit motive might be tempting for some, but the long-term consequences are dire. As this event continues to unfold, it’s crucial that we hold those involved accountable for their actions – or lack thereof. We must question whether an event like this truly deserves our attention and support.

The Final Curtain Call

The Enhanced Games’ closing ceremony will be a hollow victory lap for organisers who have turned the world of sports on its head. But one thing is clear: as long as events like this exist, we’ll never know what clean competition truly looks like – or what it means to win without cheating.