Despite strong criticism from international sports organisations regarding the contentious ‘Enhanced Games’, Chairperson Debby Ann Brown-Salmon says the Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission (JADCO) has not yet taken a position on the issue.

The Enhanced Games is a planned global sports event, similar to the Olympic Games, where athletes will not be subject to drug testing and will received significant cash incentives for participating. The organisers say on their official website, “by embracing science and not drug-testing, athletes competing in the Enhanced Games will be able to use medicine and performance therapies that help them perform at their best, on an open, fair, and honest playing field.”

The event’s founder, Australian businessman Aron D’Souza, told the
British Broadcasting Corporation recently that he’s received interest from athletes who are set to compete at the Paris Olympics this summer including, “some of the top team USA track and field athletes.”

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and World Athletics have all condemned the games, citing the dangers and lack of fair competition it would bring.

Jamaica Olympic Association President Christopher Samuda said in a press release on Wednesday that he backs the position of WADA and IOC and says, “There are the character, values, ethics and integrity of sport which determine what we play, why we play, how we play and our moral duty to inspire and transform the play.”

However, speaking to the
Jamaica Observer, Brown-Salmon says that further deliberations are necessary within JADCO before a definitive stance can be taken.

“That’s an ongoing discussion, that’s an ongoing debate and there is no final answer to that,” she said. “We’ve had discussions at JADCO about it and how it would affect sports but it’s just one of the things to think about.

“The fact is, we have to accept we are in a moving and changing world. Technology is changing and advancing, so we have to move with the times. Whereas we can’t come out and say this is our position or this is what we think will be the result of any of those implementations but at the end of the day, we have to take into consideration what the world is looking and thinking about. It’s something that is ongoing, it’s nothing we have finalised our thoughts on but we are having a meeting of the minds because at some point in time, we know we’re going to have to be able to say something about it that will be concrete, but for now, it’s still an ongoing discussion.”

Brown-Salmon, who recently took over as chairperson from Alexander Williams, also wouldn’t be drawn into giving her personal view on the Enhanced Games until discussions with JADCO are completed.

“I wouldn’t say [JADCO] is on the fence, but there is so much to learn where [the Enhanced Games] is concerned, there are so many different viewpoints,” she said. “There are cases actually that aren’t even final where that is concerned, so I prefer to reserve my personal views. But what I do know is we have a responsibility, and we have to maintain a position as what we do is in the best interest of all at the end of the day and all including and first and foremost, our athletes.

“There is a lot of research that needs to be done before anyone can have a conclusion or draw a final position on this because it’s very new. Discussions are out there but like I said, a lot of research still needs to be done and consultation needs to be had before a final thought can be shared from my perspective.”

No date or venue has been determined but the Enhanced Games is expected to feature athletics, swimming, weightlifting, gymnastics, and combat sports.

Australia’s three-time Olympic medallist in swimming, James Magnussen, is the only athlete who has publicly committed to participating at the Games and will attempt to break the 50m freestyle record.