Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya cautions local athletes against participating in Enhanced Games
Reading Time: 4min | Mon. 06.04.26. | 15:34
The competition openly allows athletes to use performance-enhancing substances banned in mainstream sport, marking a radical shift from traditional anti-doping frameworks
The Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK) has voiced strong concern over the imminent debut of the Enhanced Games, warning that the controversial competition threatens both the integrity of sport and the health of athletes.
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In May, the Enhanced Games will make their debut in Las Vegas. The competition openly allows athletes to use performance-enhancing substances banned in mainstream sport, marking a radical shift from traditional anti-doping frameworks.
The inaugural program will feature swimming, sprinting, and weightlifting, and has already attracted high-profile names such as three-time world champion sprinter Fred Kerley and British Olympic silver medalist swimmer Ben Proud.
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Organisers have confirmed 21 athletes so far, with expectations of nearly 50 participants by the time the Games begin. Unsurprisingly, the project has drawn fierce condemnation from sporting bodies and medical experts, who warn of severe health risks and the erosion of sporting integrity.
The event, conceived by Australian businessman Aron D’Souza, has sparked global debate, attracting both support and criticism as it challenges long-standing principles of fair competition.
Speaking during an ADAK and Sports Journalists Association of Kenya workshop, Principal Education Officer Kennedy Mwai described the development as deeply troubling.
“We are already seeing some very big names, especially from the United States, associating themselves with the Enhanced Games.
That is deeply concerning. If this trend gains traction and more athletes begin to embrace it, it essentially becomes a blatant disregard for everything anti-doping stands for,” Mwai said.
Mwai emphasised that anti-doping efforts are anchored on two key pillars: protecting the integrity of sport and safeguarding athletes’ health.
He questioned the long-term consequences of removing restrictions on performance-enhancing substances altogether.
“If individuals begin to freely introduce performance-enhancing substances into their bodies, what will be the long-term consequences?
We are already witnessing the severe effects of doping despite existing controls. What happens when those controls are completely removed?” he posed.
Beyond the medical risks, Mwai raised ethical concerns about the future of sport itself, warning that unchecked enhancement could fundamentally alter its essence.
“If athletes are allowed to do whatever they want in pursuit of performance, will we still have sport as we know it? Will fans still fill stadiums to cheer athletes, or will they be watching laboratories and chemists competing against each other?” he asked.
He reiterated that sport is rooted in values aligned with the Olympic movement: participation, enjoyment, and fair competition, adding that the Enhanced Games risk reducing athletes to “experimental labs” rather than competitors.
“There are claims that the Enhanced Games will have safeguards, but the consequences will still be evident. We have already seen the damage doping has caused to some athletes.
If this direction continues unchecked, the outcomes could be far more devastating,” he noted.
ADAK’s Senior Compliance Officer Dennis Keitany outlined the agency’s enforcement position, making it clear that Kenyan athletes who engage with the Enhanced Games could face serious repercussions.
“As the enforcement agency in Kenya, our mandate is clear: to ensure that athletes compete clean. Participation in the Enhanced Games would, in itself, raise serious red flags, as it signals a willingness to engage in doping,” Keitany said.
He explained that while ADAK would not have jurisdiction to conduct in-competition testing at the event, even if it were hosted in Kenya, the agency retains authority to carry out out-of-competition testing.
“Our intelligence often comes from multiple sources, including the media. If we receive credible information that a Kenyan athlete has registered to participate, we can collaborate with immigration authorities to issue a stop order.
The athlete would then be tested immediately upon arrival and could face suspension,” he explained.
Keitany added that possession of prohibited substances could escalate matters further, potentially leading to trafficking charges depending on the evidence available.
“Registration alone may be treated as circumstantial evidence, but it must be supported by verifiable proof. We cannot base charges solely on media reports. Due process requires us to formally seek confirmation from the organisers,” he offered.
However, he acknowledged that cooperation from the Enhanced Games is unlikely, given its open stance against anti-doping regulations. Even so, ADAK could still pursue cases under provisions related to “use” or “attempted use” where sufficient evidence exists.