Enhanced Games Suing Critics; Will This Event Actually Happen?

• The Enhanced Games have filed an $800 million lawsuit against World Aquatics, USA Swimming, and the World Anti-Doping Agency.
• They’re stating that the defendants have launched an “illegal campaign” to convince athletes not to sign up for The Enhanced Games.
• There are five athletes under the Enhanced Games umbrella, but will this event happen?

The group behind The Enhanced Games is suing three major organizations for $800 million. They claim World Aquatics, USA Swimming, and the World Anti-Doping Agency have an “illegal campaign” in motion, convincing athletes not to join the Games.

There are only a handful of athletes that have signed up for this event, and you have to wonder: will this actually happen?

Enhanced Games Claiming “Illegal Campaign” Against Detractors

The $800 million lawsuit was announced on Wednesday afternoon.

Enhanced Games president Aron D’Souza said:

“But until this issue is resolved, it's causing irreparable harm to our ability to sign athletes," he said. "Athletes who are both 'natural' and 'enhanced' can compete at the games. That's part of the narrative that makes this interesting. Can a 'natural' athlete beat an 'enhanced' athlete?"

The lawsuit is against World Aquatics, USA Swimming, and the World Anti-Doping Agency. WADA released a statement in June trying to get other governing bodies involved in the event’s stoppage. World Aquatics also said they would ban athletes who tried to participate in the Enhanced Games, which is essentially the Olympics, but without drug testing.

With Less Than a Year to Go, Enhanced Games Have Five Athletes Signed Up

This is another bump in the road for D’Souza, although you can still find Enhanced Games odds at some online sportsbooks. D’Souza also said that the lawsuit wasn’t a “publicity stunt.” He says that “real damage” is being done as athletes don’t want to risk a lifetime ban from organizations like WADA and World Aquatics.

He also notes that athletes who don’t take drugs can also sign up, and that a $500,000 prize for winning would be enough to get some involved. However, it’s going to be tough to find athletes who are willing to compete against those that are obviously on performance-enhancing drugs.

There are just five athletes signed up so far, including swimmer Kristian Gkolomeev of Greece. The event is slated to happen in May 2026 in Las Vegas, but they need more athletes. It’ll be interesting to see how this lawsuit goes, because if they win, the Enhanced Games could turn international sports on its head!