Enhanced Games could tempt more young people into doping, Wada warns

Enhanced Games is preparing for a $50m event in Las Vegas that allows competitors to take substances banned in elite sport and offers major prizes for winning races and breaking world records. The event includes track and field, swimming, and weightlifting, and features high-profile athletes such as Fred Kerley, Ben Proud, and James Magnussen. WADA expressed concern that promoting PED use through elite athletes could tempt more people, including young people, to use performance-enhancing drugs. Organizers claim the substances are safe under medical supervision and approved by the US Food and Drug Administration. WADA disputes this, stating FDA approval does not mean risk-free use and that these drugs can cause serious harm immediately or later, including increased risks from steroids.

"The World Anti-Doping Agency says it is concerned that Enhanced Games' athletes will tempt more young people into using performance-enhancing drugs. The stark warning comes before the controversial $50m event in Las Vegas on Sunday, which allows competitors to take banned drugs and offers huge prizes if they win races and break world records. Organisers of the Enhanced Games, which includes track and field, swimming and weightlifting events in its inaugural competition, have called it the future of sports and human performance."

"However, the global anti-doping body told the Guardian that the Enhanced Games goes against everything Wada stands for and said the event was using elite athletes to sell banned drugs and anti-ageing products to people who might not be aware of the risks involved. Wada has consistently made its view clear that the Enhanced Games is a dangerous and irresponsible concept, a spokesperson told the Guardian. Wada is concerned that events involving elite athletes that promote the use of PEDs could result in more people, including young people, being tempted to use PEDs."

"The Enhanced Games allows athletes to use substances that are banned in elite sport, including testosterone, EPO and human growth hormone, arguing that they are safe if taken under medical supervision as they have been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration. However Wada told the Guardian that was not the case. Just because a drug is FDA-approved, which includes most of the substances on Wada's prohibited list, it does not mean it can be taken risk-free, a Wada spokesperson said."

"These powerful drugs can cause serious harm sometimes immediately, sometimes months or years later. Steroids, for example, can increase the risk of heart attack, stroke a"

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