WADA Head Warns Against Enhanced Games, Blasts US Anti-Doping Regime as "Irresponsible"
The head of the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada), Witold Banka, has called for swift action against the upcoming Enhanced Games, a new event that allows athletes to take performance-enhancing drugs in competition. Describing the event as "dangerous" and "irresponsible," Banka urged his American counterparts at the United States Anti-Doping Agency (Usada) to take a strong stance against it.
Banka's warning comes as the Enhanced Games, backed by an investment group including Donald Trump Jr., is scheduled to take place next year in Las Vegas with events in swimming, athletics, and weightlifting. The event has attracted criticism worldwide due to its approach towards performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) and the substantial rewards offered to athletes for breaking official world records.
"We have to be very united," Banka emphasized. "We really want our colleagues from the US to do more to make sure that this event will not happen." He also criticized the anti-doping regime in the US, pointing out that only 308 samples were collected in six months after the Olympics in 2024 and noting that nearly 90% of US athletes are not competing under the world anti-doping code.
Banka's comments come as the head of Usada, Travis Tygart, has previously called the Enhanced Games "a clown show," but also been critical of Wada. The controversy surrounding 23 Chinese swimmers who competed at the Tokyo Olympics despite recording positive drug tests further fueled the debate.
However, Banka stressed that Wada is keen to work with Usada, but emphasized the need for mutual respect and a robust anti-doping system in the US. He argued that politicizing and attacking Wada instead of addressing gaps in the US anti-doping regime would be counterproductive.
The Enhanced Games have sparked intense debate about the future of athletic competition and the role of PEDs in sports. As Wada and Usada prepare to address this issue, Banka's warning serves as a stark reminder that the stakes are high, and the consequences of failing to act can be devastating for athletes, the sport itself, and the reputation of fair competition.
The head of the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada), Witold Banka, has called for swift action against the upcoming Enhanced Games, a new event that allows athletes to take performance-enhancing drugs in competition. Describing the event as "dangerous" and "irresponsible," Banka urged his American counterparts at the United States Anti-Doping Agency (Usada) to take a strong stance against it.
Banka's warning comes as the Enhanced Games, backed by an investment group including Donald Trump Jr., is scheduled to take place next year in Las Vegas with events in swimming, athletics, and weightlifting. The event has attracted criticism worldwide due to its approach towards performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) and the substantial rewards offered to athletes for breaking official world records.
"We have to be very united," Banka emphasized. "We really want our colleagues from the US to do more to make sure that this event will not happen." He also criticized the anti-doping regime in the US, pointing out that only 308 samples were collected in six months after the Olympics in 2024 and noting that nearly 90% of US athletes are not competing under the world anti-doping code.
Banka's comments come as the head of Usada, Travis Tygart, has previously called the Enhanced Games "a clown show," but also been critical of Wada. The controversy surrounding 23 Chinese swimmers who competed at the Tokyo Olympics despite recording positive drug tests further fueled the debate.
However, Banka stressed that Wada is keen to work with Usada, but emphasized the need for mutual respect and a robust anti-doping system in the US. He argued that politicizing and attacking Wada instead of addressing gaps in the US anti-doping regime would be counterproductive.
The Enhanced Games have sparked intense debate about the future of athletic competition and the role of PEDs in sports. As Wada and Usada prepare to address this issue, Banka's warning serves as a stark reminder that the stakes are high, and the consequences of failing to act can be devastating for athletes, the sport itself, and the reputation of fair competition.
... I mean, who wants to compete with guys taking steroids? It's not fair to others who train hard without cheating. Wada's right to sound the alarm - it's a recipe for disaster! 
And the US anti-doping regime is like "meh" compared to what they're proposing? That's crazy talk! 
It's a slippery slope and I hope Wada and Usada can work together to stop this nonsense before it's too late! 
I DON'T GET WHY SOME PEOPLE THINK IT'S OKAY TO JUST SWEPT UNDER THE RUG AND HOPE NO ONE TAKES NOTICE. WADA NEEDS TO STEP IN AND MAKE SURE THESE GAMES DON'T HAPPEN. USADA SHOULD BE DOING MORE TOO, LIKE BANKA SAID, THEY NEED TO GET THEIR HOUSE IN ORDER BEFORE TRYING TO WORK WITH WADA. IT'S NOT LIKE THEY'RE THE ONLY ONES WHO CAN DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT, YOU KNOW? 
. I mean, what's next, allowing people to cheat on their taxes or something 
? But seriously, it's a huge problem and Wada is right to speak out against it.
. 308 samples in six months after the Olympics? That's basically no effort at all 
. And nearly 90% of athletes not competing under the world anti-doping code? That's a huge gap and needs to be fixed ASAP 
.
, and demand more from our sports leaders. We can't just sit back and let events like this happen 
.
. And can you believe Donald Trump Jr. is backing this nonsense? Like, what a loser 
. Anyway, I hope Wada and Usada can do something about this before it's too late... we need clean sports, you feel me? 
.
theyre literally trying to ruin athletix 4eva! Witold Banka is hella serious tho 
, he cant stress enuf how responsiblity is key here. like, 308 samples in 6 mths? whats goin on? 
& dont even get me started on the US anti-doping regime... nearly 90% of athletes not under the wada code? 
that's just crazy talk! travis tygart & co better get it togetha & show the world what fair comp is all about 
. The Enhanced Games are just an event, it's not like they're gonna unleash a plague of steroids on the world 
. And let's be real, PEDs have been around forever in sports, so why make such a big deal outta this? I mean, I get that Banka wants to protect athletes from harm, but maybe instead of demonizing the event, we should focus on addressing the root problems with the US anti-doping regime 
. And what's up with Wada being so harsh on Usada - can't they just have a chill conversation about improving their system? 
It's all too much drama for me 
I don't get why Travis Tygart is being so critical of Wada when they're trying to help. It's like he's more interested in playing politics than actually solving the problem.