One of the major controversies to have always been intrinsically linked to athletics is PED (Performance Enhancement Drugs). Several athletes, from track and field and otherwise, have tested positive for doping over the years and had their medals revoked. Ben Johnson, Lance Armstrong, and Tyler Hamilton are just a few of the numerous athletes who suffered the consequences. However, a recent development planned by an Australian entrepreneur might prevent such harsh consequences for such athletes in the future. Following this, the US Olympic legend, Michael Johnson has now responded seemingly shrugging off the probability of the notion.
Aron D’Souza is the president of Enhanced Games, which brings together a mix of doctors, athletes, and scientists. The businessman, born in Melbourne but lives in London, wishes to create games specifically for athletes who use PEDs. 4-time Olympic gold medalist Michael Johnson is repulsed by this notion.
Michael Johnson isn’t giving any love to the new idea
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Michael Johnson recently took to his Twitter and wrote, “This is pretty ridiculous”. Attached alongside was a link to a Guardian article “Enhanced Games: audacious plan for a sporting event without drug testing”. The planned event, not yet bearing any fruit, is the brainchild of Aron D’Souza, who wants to see it culminate into reality by next year.
https://twitter.com/MJGold/status/1673391422479949824?s=20
At the moment, doping and performance-enhancement drugs are still considered a major issue, one that is met with harsh punishments, in the sporting world. Besides individual athletes, entire sporting teams’ medals have also been revoked where only one athlete in the team was caught doping.
When Tyson Fury and Nesta Carter were found doping, their entire relay teams’ gold medals at the 2012 London and 2008 Beijing Olympics respectively rev0ked. The latter had Usain Bolt in the relay team. However, D’Souza isn’t bothered by the prevailing image of drugs and the harsh indictments associated with it.
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D’Souza has a full-proof plan, but the IOC might prevent
Aron D’Souza wishes to launch the games by December of next year and is looking to put up strong competition against the Olympics. He is fully prepared for the blows that may come his way too. He said to the Guardian, “I know they are going to play dirty. I know they are going to threaten us. But ultimately we know that we are morally correct”. As many as 5 sports categories – track and field, combat sports, weightlifting, swimming, and gymnastics will be part of this contest.
Michael Johnson, who has previously opened up on several unseen issues of US track and field athletes, goes at length to show how much he cares about the true and authentic nature of the sport. Even Anna Meares, the Paris 2024 Olympic chef de mission for Australia, called the Enhanced Games, “a joke? unfair and unsafe” in Brisbane recently. Whether D’Souza’s dream will turn into reality? Only time will tell.
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