Enhanced Games Files $800M Antitrust Suit Against WADA, World Aquatics

Last Updated:August 28, 2025, 14:07 IST

Enhanced Games filed a $200 million antitrust lawsuit against World Aquatics, USA Swimming, and WADA, alleging conspiracy to suppress its 2026 Las Vegas event.

(Credit: X)

One usually witnesses lawsuits being filed against the use of any form of performance-enhancing drug in sports.

But, in a wild twist of fate, the Enhanced Games (a roid-filled rager of a sporting fest, to keep it simple) are the ones who have filed a sweeping antitrust lawsuit against World Aquatics, USA Swimming, and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).

The suit, lodged Wednesday in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, accuses the organizations of conspiring to boycott and suppress the Games in violation of the Sherman Antitrust Act.

According to the filing, Enhanced Games is seeking over $200 million in damages, a figure that could balloon to $800 million with treble and punitive damages. The organizers are also requesting injunctive relief to prevent further interference.

Background and Growing Tensions

The lawsuit follows a series of public clashes between Enhanced Games and international sporting authorities. WADA branded the event a “dangerous and irresponsible concept" earlier this year, after Las Vegas was confirmed as host of the inaugural Games in 2026. Meanwhile, World Aquatics dismissed the competition as “a circus, built on shortcuts."

In June, World Aquatics went a step further, introducing a new by-law banning athletes, coaches, and officials who support doping from participating in any sanctioned competitions. The rule came shortly after a Greek swimmer affiliated with Enhanced Games claimed to have broken a world record.

Aron D’Souza, president and founder of the Enhanced Games, denounced the by-law as a deliberate attempt to stifle the movement.

“They’re holding elite swimmers and support staff hostage, threatening lifetime bans from Olympic events – all without a single anti-doping violation," D’Souza said in a statement.

“To claim this is about protecting the ‘integrity’ or ‘health and safety’ of athletes is utter hypocrisy."

Enhanced Games maintains that it will safeguard competitors through medical oversight and advanced technology, while allowing them to unlock “superhuman performances." The planned 2026 program includes swimming, athletics, and weightlifting.

A Legal and Ethical Showdown

By framing the restrictions as an illegal monopoly designed to protect the Olympic model, Enhanced Games is challenging the decades-old global consensus on anti-doping regulation.

Neither World Aquatics, USA Swimming, nor WADA offered immediate comment when contacted about the lawsuit.

(with Reuters inputs)

Siddarth Sriram

After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His long-term...Read More

After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His long-term...

Read More

News18 Sports brings you the latest updates, live commentary, and highlights from cricket, football, tennis, badmintion, wwe and more. Catch breaking news, live scores, and in-depth coverage. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated!

Location :

First Published:

August 28, 2025, 14:07 IST

News sports Enhanced Games Files $800M Antitrust Suit Against WADA, World Aquatics

Read More