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A radical rethink of fairness, performance, and the future of sport.
I recently sat down with Aron D'Souza, president of the Enhanced Games, for what turned out to be one of the most thought-provoking conversations I've had on the Roadman podcast. D'Souza presented a controversial vision for the future of sport; one where performance-enhancing drugs aren't banned, but celebrated. As someone deeply embedded in the cycling world, where doping has cast long shadows, this conversation challenged many of my preconceptions and raised profound questions about the nature of human performance, fairness, and the future of athletic competition.
The Genesis of Enhanced Games
D'Souza shared how the idea wasn't born overnight. It started during his undergraduate days at Oxford University, where he encountered academic arguments for including performance-enhancing drugs in the Olympics. The concept crystallised in December 2023, inspired by his observations of the growing openness about enhancement in fitness culture and how wealthy individuals were increasingly embracing performance-enhancement technologies.
Redefining Fairness in Sport
As a lawyer by training, D'Souza offered a straightforward definition of fairness that made me think: it's simply following a defined rule set. We discussed how what's considered "fair" in sport has evolved dramatically over time. He pointed out how amateurism – once considered the cornerstone of sporting integrity – has completely disappeared from modern athletics. This perspective suggested that our current stance on performance enhancement might be similarly temporary.
The Economic Argument
One of the most compelling aspects of our discussion was the economic argument. As someone involved in professional cycling, I've seen firsthand the financial struggles of elite athletes. D'Souza highlighted how elite swimmers and runners, athletes in some of humanity's most fundamental physical pursuits, often earn merely $30,000 annually, while athletes in commercial team sports earn millions. The Enhanced Games promises to address this disparity by offering substantial financial incentives, including million-dollar prizes for world records.
Safety and Supervision
When I pressed D'Souza about athlete safety (a crucial concern given cycling's history with doping) he emphasised that the Enhanced Games would implement comprehensive medical supervision. Unlike the current underground approach to performance enhancement, athletes would receive:
- Comprehensive health checkups
- Ongoing monitoring
- Professional medical supervision
- Full team support including travel, accommodation, and marketing
The organisation aims to eliminate the dangerous self-experimentation that has historically plagued sports, replacing it with a controlled, transparent environment.
Challenging the Olympic Model
During our conversation, D'Souza argued that the current Olympic system, far from protecting athletes, actually serves bureaucratic interests while failing to adequately support competitors. He made a compelling point that the anti-doping system isn't primarily about health but about enforcing a particular definition of fairness. The Enhanced Games proposes to invert this model, prioritising athlete welfare and transparency.
The Philosophical Debate
Our discussion ventured into deeper questions about human progress and limitations. D'Souza framed the Enhanced Games as part of humanity's natural drive to transcend limitations, comparing it to other technological advances throughout history. He argued that sport is uniquely resistant to technological progress, maintaining artificial caps that don't exist in other fields of human endeavor.
Cultural and Ethical Implications
As we delved deeper, significant ethical concerns emerged, particularly regarding:
- The influence on young athletes
- The pressure to enhance to remain competitive
- The relationship between natural talent and technological enhancement
- The meaning of athletic achievement in an enhanced world
Looking to the Future
D'Souza envisions a future where different versions of sport might coexist – from "natural" competitions to various levels of enhanced games. This could create a spectrum where athletes and spectators can choose their preferred level of technological intervention in sport.
Conclusion
As I wrapped up my conversation with D'Souza, I was left with more questions than answers. The Enhanced Games represents either a bold step forward in human athletic achievement or a dangerous departure from sport's core values, depending on your perspective. What's clear is that it forces us to confront uncomfortable questions about the future of human performance and the role of technology in athletics.
As performance-enhancing technologies become increasingly sophisticated and accessible, the debate around their place in sport will only intensify. Whether the Enhanced Games succeeds or fails, our conversation has already sparked an important dialogue about the future of athletic competition in an increasingly technologically-enhanced world.
The question remains: Are we ready to embrace this new vision of sport, or does it represent a step too far in our quest for human enhancement?
The answer may shape the future of athletic competition for generations to come.
Hi, I Am Anthony Walsh
Founder of Roadman Cycling
I’ve spent the last decade helping time-crunched cyclists transform their health, performance, and mindset. Through the Roadman Podcast, I get access to the brightest minds in sport — and now I’m bringing that knowledge straight to you.
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