"The 'No Drug Test' Enhanced Games are suing the World Anti-Doping Agency, seeking $800 million in damages."
On August 28, Beijing time, according to foreign media reports, the Rising Games—a burgeoning Olympic-style sports event marketed as "drug-test-free"—has filed an $800 million antitrust lawsuit against its critics, accusing them of engaging in illegal boycott activities.
Enhanced Sports has filed a lawsuit in the New York Federal Court, with the defendants includingWorld Aquatics, USA Swimming, and the World Anti-Doping AgencyThe chairman of the sports event emphasized that this lawsuit is not a publicity stunt, but rather an effort to compensate for the "actual harm" caused to the athletes.
The central issue in this case revolves around a rule adopted earlier this year by World Aquatics, headquartered in Switzerland, which threatens to ban athletes from participating in "sports events that embrace scientific advancements—events that may involve prohibited substances and/or prohibited methods."
As of now, the Enhanced Games have already signed five athletes, with the event set to take place in Las Vegas next May. It will feature track and field, swimming, and weightlifting events, offering a champion’s prize of up to $500,000.
The lawsuit states that in 2024, the World Aquatics approved events offering a total of $7.1 million in prize money to 319 swimmers, while "the total prize pool for a single-day event at the 2026 Enhanced Games will reach $7.5 million."
Currently, World Aquatics says it will respond after reviewing the lawsuit with its lawyers; USA Swimming is examining the legal documents; and the World Anti-Doping Agency has not immediately responded to requests for comment. The lawsuit alleges that the two organizations were named as defendants because they endorse World Aquatics' rules.
Reportedly, this emerging event organization initially positioned itself as the "Breakthrough Human Limits League," dedicated to scientifically monitoring athletes' substance intake—and committed to not penalizing competitors for using banned drugs.
Source: DongqiuDi
