The world of professional athletics is set to witness a potentially groundbreaking development with the emergence of the Enhanced Games, a competition challenging the established dominance of the Olympics. This proposed event, backed by billionaire investor Peter Thiel who backed Paypal, aims to redefine athletic performance by legalising certain performance-enhancing technologies (PETs), raising ethical and competitive concerns within the sporting landscape.
The Enhanced Games is the concept of Dr. Aron D’Souza, the Australian lawyer who rose to prominence for his involvement in Thiel’s legal battle against Gawker Media, which ended in Gawker’s bankruptcy in 2016.
In 2023, he unveiled the concept of the Enhanced Games, aiming to redefine athletic competition by legalising certain PETs. This proposal aligns with D’Souza’s prior advocacy for technological progress and his views on individual liberty.
1. What are the Enhanced Games?
Envisioned as a modern reinvention of the Olympics, the Enhanced Games aim to push the boundaries of human potential by allowing athletes to utilise approved PETs, including gene editing, exoskeletons, and advanced prosthetics. Proponents argue that this approach opens doors to new frontiers in human achievement, celebrates scientific advancement, and fosters inclusivity for athletes with disabilities.
2. Peter Thiel’s backing: Fueling controversy
Thiel, a renowned tech entrepreneur and controversial figure, has injected “single-digit-million-dollar” into the London-based Enhanced Games concept. His involvement has garnered significant attention and criticism due to his libertarian views and past support for technologies like Seasteading, raising concerns about the ethical implications of the Enhanced Games and its potential to exacerbate inequality in sports. Peter Thiel has also backed several startups in the past once being German B2B BNPL Mondu which recently got additional €30M debt financing for more European expansion.
3. Legality of doping: Redefining the playing field
The idea of legalising doping challenges the core principles of fair competition that have long defined the Olympics. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) currently bans a wide range of substances and methods deemed to give athletes an unfair advantage. The Enhanced Games propose collaborating with WADA to establish regulations for permitted PETs, ensuring safety and ethical considerations. However, concerns remain regarding potential risks, accessibility of expensive technologies, and the erosion of the spirit of sportsmanship.
However, Dr Michael Sagner, MD, of King’s College London and a member of the Scientific and Medical Advisory Commission of the Enhanced Games, stated, “Contemporary drug testing practised in sports today is not necessarily about athlete safety; it often skews the public perception of fairness and health in competitive sports. Enhanced will be adopting a sophisticated safety protocol which puts the athlete’s health first – including comprehensive health checks before and after competitions. As well as advanced screening to check for pre-existing conditions, for example, cardiac risk.”
4. Ethical concerns and potential impact
Opponents of the Enhanced Games highlight several ethical concerns:
- Safety risks: The long-term health consequences of using certain PETs remain unknown, potentially jeopardising athlete well-being.
- Accessibility and inequality: Expensive technologies could create an uneven playing field, favouring athletes with greater financial resources.
- Erosion of fair competition: Allowing PETs could fundamentally alter the nature of athletic competition, raising questions about fairness and the essence of human achievement.
- Commercialization of athletes: The Enhanced Games could commodify athletes and prioritise technological advancements over athletic prowess.
5. Will the Enhanced Games take off?
The startup is still in their early stages of development, and many hurdles remain before they become a reality. Gaining regulatory approval, securing major sponsorships, and attracting top athletes are significant challenges. The concept itself faces strong opposition from traditional sporting bodies and ethical concerns from various stakeholders.
Looking ahead: A heated debate
The emergence of the Enhanced Games has ignited a heated debate about the future of sports, technology, and the ethical boundaries of human enhancement. While some see it as a groundbreaking opportunity to push athletic boundaries and celebrate scientific progress, others fear it could undermine the core values of fair competition and lead to an unfair and potentially dangerous playing field.
The Enhanced Games proposal poses complex questions that demand careful consideration, and its development will undoubtedly be closely watched and debated in the years to come.
