Track and field sensation Issam Asinga is back in the news, but this time it’s not because of his sporting prowess. The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) issued a 4-year ban on the 19-year-old Surinamese sprinter who holds the World U20 record for the 100 meters after he tested positive for the prohibited drug GW1516.

Amid concerns about Asinga’s career which can suffer greatly as a result of this suspension, a new ray of hope emerged for the athlete as he was offered help from the Enhanced Games. However, the track and field community has been stirred by the organization’s open offer of support for Asinga.

The Enhanced Games – where athletes are not subjected to drug tests – has taken advantage of the chance to include Asinga in its group. They shared an Instagram post of “FloTrack” which stated, “Isaan Asinga Given Four-Year Ban By AIU For 2023 Positive Drug Test.” This post was re-shared by the Enhanced Games on their Instagram story writing, “You are welcome at the @enhanced_games,” along with Asinga’s record-breaking 100-meter as a highlight, “🇸🇷 @issam_asinga 🏆 100m World U20 Record: 9.89.”

After seeing the Enhanced Games’ Instagram story, “Track and Spice” took to X to express thoughts about Issam Asinga’s ban. The post reads, “They be trying too hard 😅 He’s still young and can come back from a ban. But he won’t be able to come back from joining the Enhanced Games.” The comment challenges the choice of young athletes to compete in the Enhanced Games, implying that although a ban may be lifted, the stigma associated with taking part in this contentious event may never be gone. However, fans went crazy on this post.

Fans’ views on Issam Asinga ban

The invitation for Issam Asinga from the Enhanced Games has received a resoundingly negative opinion from the track and field community. Many think that even though Asinga might be able to overcome the ban, his professional standing could be permanently harmed by joining a group that supports performance-enhancing substances. Following the “Track and Spice” post, fans on X also expressed concern in their comments. Given the dramatic nature of such a situation, one fan stated, “If he goes there and runs 9.7, the whole world’s gonna be watching the enhanced games🤣,” in an attempt to conjecture on a possible outcome.

According to Asinga, the prohibited substances were inadvertently consumed through tainted supplements. The 19-year-old claimed in an explanation, “The product was contaminated and the NSF testified that the lot I consumed was falsely represented as NSF-certified.” Asinga tried to defend his name, but the AIU came back with “the harshest decision without regard for facts.” He is also disappointed in Pepsico, the supplier of the contaminated supplements, for not reacting more quickly to his issue.

Asinga made it clear that his career has always come first and that he would never purposefully put it in danger. He promised more details in a revised claim, however, his original Instagram story with these assertions has now been removed. This suggests that Asinga will not be taking the ban lying down and will keep defending his reputation.

Noting the controversial ban another fan tweeted, expressing doubt about the validity of performances in various competitive settings, and stated, “That should tell you something about the ‘non-enhanced games.’ If Issam ever decides to compete again, he will struggle to break 10.4. Good luck.” A spectator wrote, “LoL 😂 – – That has got to be one of the tackiest, tone deaf, gut bucket things I’ve ever seen in this sport….” This response reflects the fan community’s involvement and range of viewpoints on Issam Asinga’s ban, highlighting the conflicting emotions and debates around it.