BEIJING, June 11 (Xinhua) -- Athletes representing the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Athletes' Commission on Tuesday condemned the Enhanced Games as "irresponsible and immoral," warning the event undermines sport's integrity and endangers lives.
"As athletes, we believe that the Enhanced Games or any events encouraging the use of performance-enhancing substances and methods are a betrayal of everything that we stand for," said the joint statement released ahead of the International Athletes Forum in Lausanne.
The commissions emphasized that such events jeopardize athletes' role-model responsibilities, adding: "Promoting performance-enhancing substances sends a dangerous message - especially to future generations. These substances can cause serious long-term health consequences or even death."
"No level of sporting success is worth such a cost," the statement stressed, noting that encouraging banned substances is "utterly irresponsible and immoral."
The athletes affirmed their commitment to "fair play, ethical behaviour and respect," pledging to "do everything to protect sport's integrity for future generations."
The Enhanced Games, openly supporting the use of performance enhancing drugs, is scheduled for May 2026 in Las Vegas, United States. ■
