World Aquatics has announced a ban on athletes, coaches, and officials who participate in the controversial Enhanced Games from all its events and positions.
This landmark decision reinforces the federation’s commitment to clean sport, as the Enhanced Games openly promotes the use of performance-enhancing drugs.
The inaugural Enhanced Games are scheduled for May 21-24, 2026, in Las Vegas, aiming to be an annual competition in swimming, sprinting, and weightlifting.
World Aquatics President Husain al Musallam stated, “Those who enable doped sport are not welcome at World Aquatics or our events.”
The new bylaw explicitly prohibits individuals involved with pro-doping events from any roles within the federation, urging national associations to adopt similar policies.
The move comes amidst widespread criticism of the Enhanced Games, with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) calling it a “dangerous and irresponsible project.”
Despite this, the event has attracted significant backing from investors like Donald Trump Jr. and Peter Thiel.
The controversy intensified last month when Enhanced Games organizers claimed a swimmer set a “world record” in a time trial without anti-doping oversight.
