World Aquatics has made a decisive move by becoming the first international federation to impose a ban on athletes, coaches, and officials who participate in the Enhanced Games. This new event, which promotes the use of banned performance-enhancing drugs, is scheduled to debut in Las Vegas from May 21-24, 2026, with plans to become an annual competition featuring short-distance swimming, sprinting, and weightlifting.

In a recent development, Enhanced Games organizers claimed that Greek swimmer Kristian Gkolomeev set a 'world record' in the 50m freestyle during a time trial in February, clocking in at 20.89 seconds, which is 0.02 seconds faster than the record set by Brazil's Cesar Cielo in 2009. This claim has sparked significant controversy within the sports community.

World Aquatics has introduced a new bylaw to reinforce its commitment to clean sports. The bylaw states that individuals who support, endorse, or participate in events that embrace the use of prohibited substances or methods will be ineligible to hold positions or participate in any World Aquatics competitions or activities. This includes roles such as athletes, coaches, team officials, administrators, medical support staff, or government representatives.

Dr. Aron D'Souza, president and founder of the Enhanced Games, criticized the ban, stating that it is not about protecting athletes but about protecting a monopoly. He emphasized that the Enhanced Games would provide legal support against World Aquatics in case of any challenges. D'Souza argued that traditional federations have not paid athletes adequately and that the Enhanced Games offer athletes choice, fairness, and real financial rewards in a medically-supervised, safety-focused, science-driven environment.

The Enhanced Games have faced criticism for potentially endangering athletes' health and undermining fair play. The World Anti-Doping Agency has labeled the event as a 'dangerous and irresponsible project.' However, the event has garnered significant backing from influential figures, including Donald Trump Jr. and billionaire entrepreneur Peter Thiel.

World Aquatics has also encouraged its member associations to adopt similar policies at the national level to maintain consistent standards across the sport. World Aquatics president Husain al Musallam stated that those who enable doped sports are not welcome at World Aquatics or its events, emphasizing the federation's commitment to protecting the integrity of competitions, the health and safety of athletes, and the credibility of the global aquatics community.