BEIJING - The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has voiced strong opposition to the Enhanced Games, a controversial competition that openly permits the use of performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs).

The event, set for May 2026 in Las Vegas, has been condemned as a dangerous spectacle that threatens the foundations of sport and athlete welfare.

"WADA condemns the Enhanced Games as a dangerous and irresponsible concept. The health and well-being of athletes is WADA's number-one priority," said WADA on Thursday. "Clearly this event would jeopardize that as it seeks to promote the use of powerful substances and methods by athletes for the purposes of entertainment and marketing."

WADA warned that the consequences of PED use extend far beyond sport.

"Over the years, there have been many examples of athletes suffering serious long-term side effects from their use of prohibited drugs. Some have died."

The world anti-doping fight leader called for unity of governments and anti-doping organizations all over the world, not least in the United States in "condemning" it.

"We invite all our clean sport partners, including athletes, to join us in condemning this event regardless of its wealthy and influential supporters," it said, pointing out the purpose of the Games "has become clear from the event's launch in Las Vegas that a focus of the organizers is to sell their products and to play down the associated risks."

The agency cautioned that athletes and their support teams who participate in the Enhanced Games could be in violation of the World Anti-Doping Code or even criminal laws.

"They would risk committing anti-doping rule violations under the Code. They would also put their reputations on the line, as they would forever be associated with doping," WADA said. "WADA will encourage Anti-Doping Organizations to test involved athletes before, during and after this event, in order to protect the integrity of legitimate sport."

"WADA also calls on all governments and law enforcement agencies to assess whether athletes who admit to taking performance-enhancing drugs - or the physicians who supply or administer those substances - may be in breach of criminal laws or professional rules, whether in their own countries or wherever the event takes place," it added.

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WADA Athlete Council also voiced its strong opposition to the event.

"Now, we would like to put on the record that the AC is firmly opposed to the Enhanced Games and any event that promotes the use of performance-enhancing substances and methods," it said.

"Such an event puts athlete safety at serious risk and fundamentally undermines the core values of sport. To encourage such an event is both irresponsible and unacceptable," the council said, urging all athletes who believe in fair competition and athlete well-being to make their voices heard.

Leading sports bodies had also accused the event of undermining fair play, encouraging risky behavior, and exploiting athletes for entertainment and profit.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) issued an unusually pointed statement denouncing the Games.

"If you want to destroy any concept of fair play and fair competition in sport, this would be a good way to do it," said a spokesperson. "Worse than that, no parent would ever wish to see their child competing in such a damaging format in which performance-enhancing drugs are a central part of the concept."

The IOC also criticized the philosophical underpinning of the Games, which are backed by wealthy businessmen who champion the idea of "sovereign individuals."

"This means that there are no accepted rules or values. This is completely at odds with the idea and values of the Olympic Games, the aim of which is to unite the world in peaceful competition and in the spirit of fair play - Faster, Higher, Stronger - Together," the spokesperson continued.

World Athletics president Sebastian Coe, while he was speaking in Glasgow at the 2024 World Athletics Indoor Championships, warned about the consequences of participating in the event.

"There's only one message and that is if anybody is moronic enough to feel that they want to take part in that, and they are from the traditional, philosophical end of our sport, they'll get banned and they'll get banned for a long time," Coe said.

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UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) chair Trevor Pearce emphasized the wider societal risks, highlighting the connection between steroid use and mental health issues, violence, and legal consequences.

"The Enhanced Games ignores well-documented links between anabolic steroid use and violent behavior, including domestic abuse. It risks severe physical, psychological and social harm to athletes," he warned, adding that British participants could be prosecuted under the country's Misuse of Drugs Act.

Youth-focused sports officials have also raised alarms. Ren Yuan, head of communications at the International School Sport Federation, called the Games a "catastrophic influence" on the next generation.

"It completely disregards the health and safety of athletes and sends the wrong message to youth about how success is achieved," he said.