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BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC):

The Caribbean Regional Anti-Doping Organisation (Caribbean RADO) has strongly opposed the proposed Enhanced Games, saying it stood against "any form of doping".

The Enhanced Games, a proposed multi-sport event to be held in 2026 and founded by Australian businessman Aron D'Souza, would allow athletes to use performance-enhancing substances without being subject to drug tests.

However, the event has been highly criticised by Olympic athletes and sporting organisations, who believe the Games could result in long-term health consequences or even deaths.

In a statement issued by Caribbean RADO yesterday, it said it could not support any event that promoted doping.

"Speaking on behalf of our 18 member countries, we believe that all individuals have fundamental rights and freedoms; however, along with those rights and freedoms come the responsibility to steward them well.

"The encouragement of any form of doping, whether state-sponsored, 'medically-guided' or otherwise, is abhorrent," the statement read.

"Those who engage in such practices should not enter clean sport, nor hold the title of

champion, record holder or otherwise. Beyond competition, any individual or group that supports these Games should hold no position of leadership in sport or other sanctioned competition."

Caribbean RADO explained that one of its biggest concerns was the health of all athletes, stating that the Enhanced Games would expose competitors to unnecessary risks.

"One of the core tenets of the anti-doping movement is the protection of athletes' health and well-being.

"At the Caribbean RADO, we are athlete-centred in our focus, working to promote and foster clean sport in the region, guided by the mantra that all athletes have a right to fair and safe sporting environments," the statement read.

"The Enhanced Games can be seen as a body which is attempting to undermine and contaminate what the global sport movement continually works hard to protect and preserve. Who would authorise and fund such a Games? We are concerned about the potential luring of vulnerable athletes to jeopardize their health. Those resources could be better allocated to supporting existing structures, and competitors who compete clean and could benefit from financial investments in their training and development.

"We encourage all athletes, particularly those in the Caribbean, to avoid the risks and potential long-term consequences that participating in such events would pose.

"We believe that sport should remain a celebration of human performance in its purest form; one that elevates the profile of athletes in the Caribbean and globally; and one that showcases talent without compromising health, ethical standards or regionally shared values. We encourage all sport organisations in the Caribbean to stand against the Enhanced Games," the statement further added.