Dopers' hope

The GaulsAn ancient Celtic people in Western Europe. watching the race are full of dismay. AsterixThe main character in a French comic book series set in ancient village of Gauls. , their hero, has been beaten hollow by five Roman runners. But then he accuses them of cheating - and points to their blue tongues to prove they have drunk the magic potion made by Getafix the druidA member of the high-ranking priest class in ancient Celtic religion. . The Romans are disqualified, and Asterix is declared the winner.

This is a scene from Asterix at the Olympic Games. But if Aron D'Souza and Peter Thiel had been in charge, the Romans would have kept their medals. In fact, the two would have encouraged everyone to drink the magic potion.

Aron D'Souza is the mastermind behind the Enhanced Games. Billed as "the Olympics of the future", it is backed by Peter Thiel, one of the founders of PayPalAn online payments company. . The core idea is that no athletes will be tested for drugs or asked if they have used them.

D'Souza - a lawyer and entrepreneurA person who sets up their own business. - argues that: "Athletes are adults... and they have a right to do with their body what they wish."¹ It is in the interests of humanity to make our bodies perform better in any way we can.

On top of that, he argues that many Olympic athletes get away with using drugs, so the fairest thing to do is to let everyone take them. This can be done safely by ensuring that all competitors undergo a thorough medical examination.

The original plan was to hold the first games at the end of this year, though that now looks unlikely. The events would be in track and field, weightlifting, gymnastics, swimming and combat sports.

D'Souza argues that the games would be more exciting to watch than the Olympics, and the athletes would be far better rewarded.

Critics are scathing about his idea. They say that results would depend on which drugs each athlete could afford, that some would be bound to overdose, and that it would set a terrible example to young people. Travis Tygart, head of the US's anti-dopingDrugs, hormones and blood transfusions can all help to give athletes a crucial advantage. Some sports theorists say that doping is no less fair than using sophisticated technology or dietary supplements, but due to health risks and perceived dishonesty, most of these techniques are banned. agency, calls it "a dangerous clown show".²

But some of D'Souza's arguments are hard to dismiss. He is right to point out that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has faced accusations of corruptionWhen someone abuses their power for personal gain. It often involves bribery. and the athletes have received much less money than the organisers.

And the IOC's record on drug-testing is very patchy. No fewer than 46 athletes at the 2012 London Olympics who were initially given the all clear later had their medals taken away.³

Could this make sport safer?

Yes: Athletes who take drugs at the moment do so secretly, which means they cannot get the best medical advice. The Enhanced Games would allow them to do this, and also give them thorough check-ups.

No: With any kind of drug, people are always tempted to go beyond the recommended limits, sometimes with fatal results. The athletes would be bound to do this, especially with a lot of money at stake.   

Or... Even if it made sport safer, it would make it less fun. Spectators like to see athletes succeeding through their own efforts, not by having an artificial advantage over their competitors.