‘Someone will die’: more warnings issued about drug-fuelled Enhanced Games

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The controversial proposal to host the Enhanced Games, allowing athletes to use performance-enhancing drugs, continues to spark outrage and concern among sports officials and athletes alike. Australian Sports Commission chief executive Kieren Perkins has joined the chorus of voices warning against the potential dangers of such an event, cautioning that allowing athletes to compete under the influence of drugs could have fatal consequences.

 

Perkins, a former Olympic medalist and world champion swimmer, minced no words when describing the proposition as "laughable" and emphasized the grave risks involved. He highlighted the legal and ethical dilemmas posed by the Enhanced Games, stating unequivocally, "Someone will die if we allow that sort of environment to continue to prosper and flourish."

 

His remarks echo those of Australian Olympic Committee chief executive Matt Carroll, who previously denounced the games as "dangerous and irresponsible." Despite widespread condemnation, the publicity surrounding the event persists, with organizers dangling a lucrative $1 million prize for breaking world records.

 

The controversy intensified when Australian swimmer James Magnussen expressed his willingness to participate in the Enhanced Games, even stating his readiness to use performance-enhancing drugs to achieve victory. However, Magnussen later walked back his comments, expressing regret for his choice of words and emphasizing the importance of a scientific approach.

 

Perkins urged caution and reminded stakeholders of the tragic consequences that can result from doping in sports, citing the death of Danish cyclist Knud Jensen at the 1960 Olympic Games as a poignant example. He underscored the long-term health implications for athletes and their families, noting cases where performance-enhancing drug use led to serious medical issues in offspring.

 

Raelene Castle, chief executive of Sport New Zealand, likened the proposed competition to dystopian scenarios depicted in popular culture, such as "Squid Games" or "Hunger Games." She underscored the grim fate of notorious drug cheats and questioned the morality of endorsing an event that could jeopardize athletes' lives.

 

While Aron D’Souza, the Australian-born founder of the Enhanced Games, remains determined to proceed with the event in 2025, Perkins expressed skepticism about its feasibility. He called for a more rational approach, urging humanity to consider the consequences of its choices and suggesting that the Enhanced Games may ultimately prove too perilous to materialize.

 

20.03.24

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