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| WADA Chairman Witold Vanka answers questions from reporters at an official press conference of the General Assembly held in BEXCO, Busan on the 3rd with Ryan Finney, WADA Vice Chairman Yang Yang, and Secretary-General Olivier Nigley. Photo courtesy =KADA |
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"Our position on Enhanced Games is clear. I disagree."
World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) President Witold Vanka reiterated his opposition to controversial Enhanced Games at an official press conference of the 6th World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) General Assembly in BEXCO, Busan, on the 3rd. Advanced Games is an international sports competition with the catchphrase of 'Reinventing Sports with Science' that allows 'technical doping' of WADA banned drugs, state-of-the-art shoes and uniforms disallowed by sports organizations, and the first competition will be held in Las Vegas in May next year. The top prize money of $500,000 (about 730 million won), the 100m track and field, and the 50m swimming freestyle were offered $1 million (about 1.47 billion won) when setting world records, and some elite athletes who are about to retire publicly announced their participation.
Enhanced Games was also a hot topic at the 6th WADA General Assembly, which opened in BEXCO, Busan on the 2nd. Asked about it, IOC President Kirsty Coventry said, `We are here because we all believe in clean sports. WADA President Vanka clarified his opposition at an official press conference on the 3rd, following the response, "Our top priority is to allow athletes to continue playing sports in a clean environment." "I made it clear a few weeks ago about my point of view. (Hansd Games) is a very dangerous competition. It is too dangerous and unacceptable for the players. Getting players to take banned drugs is the opposite of ours in itself." "WADA cannot decide whether to hold this competition or not. It's beyond our jurisdiction. But our position is clear. I'm against it." Asked if there would be any future restrictions on athletes participating in the event or more rigorous inspections of athletes participating in the event, he said, "Most athletes participating here will not be able to participate in the Olympics. Of course, it will be examined in a strict manner, and if banned substances are detected, they will be sanctioned." Former Papua New Guinea swimmer Ryan Finney, chairman of the WADA Athletes Commission, told the confusing reality of his fellow athletes. "I met and talked with a lot of players, but I was disappointed to see my close teammates participate in the competition. I'm also interested in how Enhanced Games will be in the future. In particular, there are many veteran players who are about to retire. Players who have no future or plans are shaken by the temptation." "Some say it would be difficult to make this choice while talking to family and friends." Therefore, education is more important. You have to teach the value of clean sports. Not all players accept it, but we have to keep emphasizing it."
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
