Can the ‘steroid Olympics’ show the sporting community how to support athletes better?

Swimmer Shane Ryan, who has represented Ireland at three Olympic Games, said that financial incentives contributed to his decision to join the Enhanced Games. Credit: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile via Getty Picture an elite sporting event that permits, and even encourages, athletes to use performance-enhancing drugs: the idea seems far-fetched. Yet this week, the first ‘Enhanced Games’ are taking place in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Enhanced Games miss the point: science can clean up sport Sporting organizations have responded harshly. World Athletics president Sebastian Coe described the games as “bollocks” and said that athletes would be “moronic” to join. Travis Tygart, head of the US Anti-Doping Agency based in Colorado Springs, called it a “dangerous clown show”. Some athletes have expressed ethical and health concerns. The games, set for 24 May, will not rival the Olympics in size or spectacle. A handful of athletics, swimming and strength-based events will take place. Sporting federations will not ratify any potential world records set there. Yet, athletes have signed up. As a sociologist working on substance use in sports and exercise, I think that dismissing their interest, or this event altogether, would be a mistake. Many, and perhaps all, of the people competing will use performance-enhancing drugs. But the Enhanced Games are not intended to be a drug free-for-all: only substances approved by the US Federal Drug Administration are permitted. …