The international swimming federation World Aquatics is the first federation to draw up regulations to exclude participants in the controversial Enhanced Games project. Doping and other prohibited aids are permitted in that competition.
“Anyone who enables doping in sport is not welcome at World Aquatics or at our events,” says World Aquatics President Husain Al Musallam in a statement.
“This new regulation ensures that we can continue to protect the integrity of our competitions, the health and safety of our athletes, and the credibility of our athletes.”
The Enhanced Games will be held next May in Las Vegas. The tournament includes swimming, athletics and weightlifting.
The controversial project was set up by businessman Aron D’Souza. The Australian promises $1 million (approximately €875,000) in prize money for a world record. The project is financed by, among others, Donald Trump Jr.
Swimming federation will not only exclude participating athletes
Two weeks ago, the organization of the Enhanced Games announced during the presentation that Kristian Gkolomeev had swum an unrecognized world record in the 50 meter freestyle in February. The Greek did so with the help of doping and a prohibited swimsuit. He received $1 million.
There is a lot of criticism of the Enhanced Games, which would endanger the health of the athletes, among other things. The global anti-doping agency WADA has already threatened participating athletes with severe penalties.
World Aquatics will not only exclude athletes who participate in the Enhanced Games from all events, but also everyone who supports the controversial project: coaches, officials, administrators, medical personnel and officials. The world swimming federation encourages other international federations to pursue a “similar policy”.