James Moorhouse
There was a big announcement about the future of the Enhanced Games this week, as they were confirmed to be taking place in Las Vegas next year, but not everybody is a fan.
The so-called 'Enhanced Movement' is being powered by billionaire Aron D'Souza who wants to rival the Olympic Games and 'safely evolve mankind into a new superhumanity'.
He has established a new competition which will allow athletes to use performance enhancing substances that are banned in the Olympics.
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World champion swimmer James Magnussen was one of the first athletes who signed himself up for the games.
The organisers claim Greece's Kristian Gkolomeev swam 20.89 seconds in a 50m freestyle time trial in the US back in February, which is an unofficial 'world record', as it's 0.02 seconds quicker than the world record set by Brazil's Cesar Cielo in 2009.
He was wearing a full-length polyurethane 'supersuit', which has been banned by the Olympics, and had taken substances banned in traditional athletic events.
Donald Trump Jr has also provided public backing of the games, as 1789 Capital, a firm led by the president's son, Omeed Malik and Chris Buskirk, recently invested in the latest funding round.
D’Souza described the involvement of Trump-aligned investors as a natural fit.
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He said: "I’ve had the great fortune of working alongside many members of the administration and other prominent figures of the Trump movement over the years.
"To know that some of the most significant figures in American social and political life support the Enhanced Games is more important to us than any investment.”
However, those within the sporting world have reacted angrily to D'Souza's plans, over fears about the safety of the athletes involved, as well as the sport's reputation.
World Aquatics, which is the international federation recognised by the International Olympic Committee for administering international competitions in water sports, told LADbible: "Like clowns juggling knives, sadly, these athletes will get hurt performing in this circus.
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"History has shown us time and time again the grave dangers of doping to human health. This is a sideshow to those who compete honestly, fairly, and respect the true spirit of sport.
"Athletic performance is a pure, special thing and should not be distorted by delusions of 'science' and 'medicine'. For every step forward taken by clean athletes, the athletes competing in this circus take ten steps backwards."
World Aquatics also criticised the athletes and coaches who are planning to get involved with the Enhanced Games.
The federation added: "At World Aquatics, all athletes and coaches affiliated with aquatics clubs are subject to comprehensive anti-doping measures through our partnership with the International Testing Agency (ITA). This includes both in- and out-of-competition testing, robust intelligence gathering and targeted investigations.
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"Additionally, all affiliated athletes and coaches are bound by the World Aquatics Integrity Code, which prohibits conduct that could damage the sport’s reputation or undermine public confidence in the integrity of aquatics or the fairness of competition.
"True excellence in sport comes from talent, perseverance, and a commitment to do things the right way. That’s the message we champion - and that’s what athletes, fans, and future generations deserve."
In a previous interview with LADbible, D'Souza suggested that the safety of athletes was paramount.
He said: "While there are risks involved with performance enhancements, our protocols are being designed to minimise these risks and ensure the long-term well-being of athletes."