Geraint Hughes
Sports activities Information Correspondent
President of the World Anti-Doping Company (WADA) Witold Banka has urged the US to intervene within the ‘Enhanced Video games’ because the occasion places athletes’ lives in danger; The occasion will happen in Las Vegas subsequent 12 months, with Group GB swimmer Ben Proud participating
Final Up to date: 30/10/25 5:06pm
World anti-doping chief Witold Banka has referred to as for intervention over the Enhanced Video games
President of the World Anti-Doping Company (WADA) Witold Banka has informed Sky Sports activities Information that an athlete’s life is being placing a threat ought to they compete on the Enhanced Video games subsequent 12 months.
Banka believes extra can and must be executed to forestall the Enhanced Video games from happening in Las Vegas subsequent 12 months. He is referred to as on better strain from the US Anti-Doping Company (USADA) and politicians to cease the occasion.
Whereas all main world sporting occasions just like the FIFA World Cup and Olympics in addition to most Governments and most sporting leagues are signatories to the WADA Code, which prohibits using efficiency enhancing medicine and substances, the Enhanced Video games is a personal occasion set to happen in Las Vegas in Might 2026 the place the conventional guidelines of doping controls in the primary don’t apply.
The occasion held within the USA is topic to Federal Meals & Drug Administration (FDA) guidelines so whereas substances like cocaine and heroin are banned, many substances which are banned by WADA might be allowed on the Enhanced Video games.
Banka may be very involved at using steroids, that are banned at an Olympic Video games or World Cup, being extensively utilized in competitors the place the consequences might have critical well being impacts on athletes together with the potential for the lack of life.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Geraint Hughes explains the controversial Enhanced Video games and the explanations for why British Olympic medallist Ben Proud has joined
Whereas WADA has no jurisdiction to forestall the Enhanced Video games from happening, their objection is loud.
The Enhanced Video games has obtained appreciable personal funding together with from 1789 Capital – one of many firm’s companions is Donald Trump Jnr, son of US President Donald Trump – Trump Jnr has stated for him; “The Enhanced Games represent the future – real competition, real freedom and real records being smashed.
WADA disagree.
Banka, speaking to Sky Sports in London, called the Enhanced Games “an irresponsible and harmful occasion”.
“Ethically and morally it is exhausting to speak about, it is in opposition to every thing we’re doing. I hope the occasion is not going to occur.”
USADA had called the Enhanced Games a ‘clown show’, but the WADA chief wants more pressure.
“(We) need colleagues from the USA to do extra, to have a robust place on this… They will do extra and attempt to persuade the individuals behind it to assume twice.”
With regard to Trump Jnr’s investment, Banka added: “We have not met any Prime Minister or President who thinks the Enhanced Video games is a good suggestion. We wish a robust governmental place.”
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Kelly Holmes strongly opposes the Enhanced Games and doesn’t think Olympic medallist Ben Proud should be joining the event
FIFA, Football’s governing body, is led by Gianni Infantino who has built strong links with US President Donald Trump in recent years as the USA hosted the 2025 Club World Cup and is set to host the 2026 World Cup. FIFA is a signatory to WADA, football is therefore subject to the code and rules of global anti-doping.
Asked whether Infantino could lobby President Trump with regard to the Enhanced Games Banka said: “Consider me, we’re working with many stakeholders to have an excellent scenario with the USA.”
While the Enhanced Games is small in comparison with any WADA compliant sporting competition, they currently have only signed a handful of athletes mainly from swimming to compete at the Enhanced Games, recently the first British athlete confirmed their intention to compete at the Games.
Ben Proud was a silver medallist for Team GB at the 2024 Paris Olympics
Swimmer and 2024 Olympic Medallist Ben Proud outlined his reasons to retire from swimming for Great Britain & NI and Team GB and to compete at the Enhanced Games to Sky Sports in September saying the financial reward on offer was too great to ignore and that it would take him winning 13 World medals to accrue the money he could earn in Las Vegas next year.
Proud also addressed issues around safety of the event, disputing the event as a ‘doping free-for-all’ saying: “That is not correct. This (Enhanced Video games) is a very completely different format. The whole lot accessible is already accessible to the general public by means of prescriptions – every thing is FDA authorised.
“Some of the treatments I’ve read about are genuinely interesting… I’m keen to understand what’s out there, what the side effects might be and the what the health risks are.”
