Swimming

Switzerland, June 3 (PL) - Today, World Aquatics announced a regulation that will sanction those who participate in or support events such as the so-called Enhanced Games, designed to facilitate doping among athletes.

The international water sports organization has approved new regulations that declare ineligible for its competitions anyone who competes, collaborates, promotes, or has any kind of connection with competitions that endorse the use of prohibited substances or methods, including unauthorized scientific advances.

This measure affects athletes, coaches, doctors, technical staff, managers, and even government representatives, who will lose their right to participate in events organized or endorsed by World Aquatics, including the Olympic Games.

The decision comes after it was announced that the Enhanced Games will hold their first edition in May 2026 in Las Vegas, under a format that allows the free use of doping, in open defiance of the principles of clean sport.

The new regulation takes shape just weeks after USA Swimming warned its athletes to decline invitations to such games, after reports of contacts made to members of its national team.

World Aquatics is also urging its national federations to implement similar regulations in their jurisdictions, in a clear sign of outright rejection of the model proposed by the Enhanced Games, which promotes an approach without anti-doping controls under the premise of “scientific progress.”