World Aquatics to ban Enhanced Games participants with new bylaw

The World Aquatics on Tuesday passed a bylaw against doping enablers, making it the first international sports federation to ban athletes, coaches and officials from its events if they have taken part in the controversial Enhanced Games, according to a statement released by the world's water sports governing body.

"Under the new Bylaw, individuals who support, endorse, or participate in sporting events that embrace the use of scientific advancements or other practices that may include prohibited substances and/or prohibited methods will not be eligible to hold positions with the World Aquatics or to participate in any World Aquatics competitions, events, or other activities," World Aquatics said in a statement after a meeting in Lausanne, Switzerland.

The bylaw is seen as a direct response to the Enhanced Games, which is scheduled to take place in Las Vegas, U.S., in May 2026.

The event, which openly condones doping by athletes and claims that "sport will be safer without doping controls," has caused an uproar in the global sports community and has drawn widespread condemnation from many stakeholders.

"Those who enable doped sport are not welcome at the World Aquatics or our events," said World Aquatics president Husain al Musallam. "This new bylaw ensures that we can continue to protect the integrity of our competitions, the health and safety of our athletes, and the credibility of the global aquatics community."

In May, the China Anti-Doping Agency (CHINADA) expressed firm opposition to the Enhanced Games and called on the global sports community to stand united in rejecting the event.

"We strongly urge USADA to follow the Code and International Standards and take decisive measures to oppose the Enhanced Games and to refrain from hegemonic actions under the pretext of reforming the global anti-doping system," CHINADA said in a statement.

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) also condemned the Enhanced Games as a dangerous and irresponsible concept in its statement in May.

The health and well-being of athletes is WADA's No.1 priority. Clearly this event would jeopardize that, as it seeks to promote the use of powerful substances and methods by athletes for the purposes of entertainment and marketing, said WADA.

WADA warned that the consequences of performance-enhancing drugs use extend far beyond sport. "Over the years, there have been many examples of athletes suffering serious long-term side effects from their use of prohibited drugs. Some have died."