‘It will destroy the fabric of sport’

WHILE IT’S already public knowledge that Melbourne businessman Aron D’Souza is adamant that his brainchild, Enhanced Games, will go ahead as planned in 2025, the criticisms are also gathering momentum.

Christopher Samuda, president of the Jamaica Olympic Association, while speaking with The Sunday Gleaner, minced no words saying an event where competitors can use performance-enhancing drugs and participate without drug testing will destroy sport.

“Quite frankly, I think it will destroy the fabric of sport, particularly track and field, which is founded on values, integrity and ethics. This move will certainly put the sport in disrepute, as money isn’t the be-all and end-all and before we get to the commercialisation business of sport, we have to deal with the integrity and ethics of sport. So, for the Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA) that is a not negotiable decision,” he explained.

For those who might believe it’s a publicity stunt, D’Souza in a recent interview with BBC SPORTS reaffirmed his position, saying he was trying to shape the future of sport.

“It will happen. I wouldn’t dedicate my life, years of my team’s lives and millions of dollars from the world’s greatest investors unless we truly believe we can deliver the event, break world records and fundamentally change the trajectory of not just sport, but humanity as a whole. We are doing something truly extraordinary, something that is shaping the future,” said D’Souza.

Samuda further shared that the JOA is in agreement with Lord Sebastien Coe, president of World Athletics, that athletes who participate at the Enhanced Games should be banned from the sport.

“I understand from subsequent reports that Lord Sebastien Coe has indicated that any athlete that participates in those Games runs the risk of being banned from World Athletics. So, he has made it absolutely clear and the consequences of athletes participating in those Games and we support him,” said Samuda.

Dr Paul Wright, sports medicine specialist, agreed that there was a morality concern with the Enhanced Games as well.

“It’s the worst thing that could happen. What we are doing here is exchanging money for people’s health and it is well established in the medical field that 94 per cent of the performance-enhancing drugs are bad for the long-term health of the user. People swapping health for money not only has moral implications, but implications on the society and the young,” he shared.

Dr Wright doubled down on his stance that the proposal which experts label as a “dangerous clown show” and “borderline criminal” has nothing positive about it.

“If you’re going to have these big rewards for winning and you can use any drug that you want, then this is going to encourage young people that using drugs is something good because you can gain financially. This will be bad for the whole society.”

orane.buchanan@gleanerjm.com