Photo: AFP / Tek Image/Science Photo Library
The Enhanced Games are exploiting athletes and putting their health and careers at risk, says the Sport Integrity Commission.
The Enhanced Games where athletes can using substances banned in official competition announced earlier this week they will have their inaugural competition in Las Vegas, in May next year and will include swimming, athletics and weightlifting.
Australian businessman Aaron D'Souza is behind the Games and believes athletes should be able to do what they wish with their own bodies and is touting it as the 'Olympics of the future', allowing athletes to take drugs in a bid to break 'world records'.
Organisers maintain they will protect athletes while using technology and science to enhance their strength and speed, unlocking a new level of "superhuman" performances.
The Sport Integrity Commission, which is responsible for anti-doping in New Zealand, has joined a chorus of international condemnation of the Games.
Chair Don McKinnon said the Games promote "a dangerous sporting event that jeopardises athlete health and safety while fundamentally eroding the core values of fair play and integrity.
There will be no drug rules for the Enhanced Games. Photo: AFP / Tek Image/Science Photo Library
"The Enhanced Games exploits athletes by putting their health and careers at risk for the sake of purported entertainment and financial gain. Doping in sport is never acceptable and we condemn any activities that undermine the safety and fairness of sport.
"We join WADA and other anti-doping and sporting bodies around the world in standing for clean sport, athlete health, and the integrity of international competition," said McKinnon.
The Commission believes New Zealand athletes and athletes around the world should be able to compete with the confidence that their competitors are clean and that those who choose to engage in doping will be caught and subject to appropriate sanctions.
The Enhanced Games is backed by a venture capital fund which includes billionaire entrepreneur Peter Thiel and was initially launched as a concept in 2023, when it was presented as an opportunity to beat world records for cash prizes up to $US1 million.
World Athletics president Lord Coe has said taking part would be "moronic", and any competitor would face a lengthy ban.
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