Enhanced Games Launches Sports Competition Allowing Performance-Enhancing Drugs
The Facts
The Enhanced Games is launching a sporting competition where performance-enhancing drugs are legal and encouraged for athletes. The event will feature swimmers, weightlifters and other athletes competing with the goal of breaking world records. The organization is offering significant financial payouts to competitors and has plans for business expansion.
How different outlets are framing this
CNN's coverage frames this story as a bold business and sporting experiment, emphasizing both the financial incentives and the potential for record-breaking performances. The outlet uses relatively neutral language like 'sporting event where doping is legal' rather than more judgmental terminology, positioning the Enhanced Games as an 'experiment' that 'aims to change' the traditional relationship between performance-enhancing drugs and sports scandal. CNN focuses heavily on the commercial aspects, highlighting the 'big payouts' and business expansion plans, while also providing behind-the-scenes access through reporting from a training camp. The framing suggests curiosity about this new approach rather than outright condemnation, treating it as a legitimate if unconventional business venture that challenges traditional sports norms around drug use.
Source Articles
- CNN14 Apr, 13:23Athletes take drugs to beat world records | CNN
Swimmers, weightlifters and other athletes are training for a sporting event where doping is legal and encouraged. The Enhanced Games is promising big payouts to competitors — and has plans to expand its business.
- CNN14 Apr, 13:22Boosted to win | CNN
Performance‑enhancing drugs have long shaped sports history, mostly through scandal. The Enhanced Games aim to change that by encouraging their use and selling to the masses. Isobel Yeung heads to a training camp as the experiment unfolds.