Swimmers Caught Participating in Altered Competitions Face Potential Suspension
Controversial Clash: The Enhanced Games, a Controversial Event
Get ready for the Enhanced Games, an upcoming competition that encourages the use of performance-enhancing drugs, set to take place in Sin City itself—Las Vegas, in 2023. However, swimmers contemplating diving into the world of doping should think hard before they dive in, as swimming's governing body, World Aquatics, has issued a stark warning: any athlete participating in this groundbreaking event is barred from returning to regular competition.
According to Fox Sports, World Aquatics is toeing a hard line on athletes involved in the controversial event. Their newly introduced bylaws aim to expel any swimmers who "endorse, support, or participate in sporting events that endorse or embrace the use of performance-enhancing substances."
World Aquatics has left no room for misunderstanding—they categorically refuse to welcome back athletes who compete in the Enhanced Games under any capacity. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
For those swimmers who choose to take the plunge into the Enhanced Games, they can anticipate a sweeping ban that will prevent them from working or competing in the sport in various roles—as players, coaches, team officials, and more.
World Aquatics' uncompromising stance might seem draconian, but it's driven by necessity. The thought of allowing someone who has utilized performance-enhancing drugs to rejoin regular competition, where such behavior is frowned upon, is simply untenable.
It's worth noting that the Enhanced Games isn't just focused on swimming but is also set to include track and weightlifting events. Hence, it wouldn't be surprising if athletes from those sports faced similar bans from their respective governing bodies.
The Enhanced Games argue that their event promotes transparency by permitting athletes to use legal and prescribed substances in the U.S. Their stance, however, may not find favor with all sports organizations. The reactions from other organizations will depend on their individual doping policies and their alignment with the World Anti-Doping Agency's critical view of the Enhanced Games as potentially dangerous and irresponsible.
Whether other sports governing bodies will follow World Aquatics' lead remains uncertain, as the controversy over the Enhanced Games rages on. Each decision will involve evaluating the potential impact on the sport's integrity and athlete participation.
Due to the Enhanced Games' endorsement of performance-enhancing substances, swimmers might face a ban from participating in regular competitions governed by World Aquatics. Similarly, athletes from other sports like track and weightlifting could also face similar bans from their respective governing bodies.
