Enhanced Games file $800M lawsuit against critics - ESPN

The startup Olympic-style sports festival promising no drug testing filed an $800 million antitrust lawsuit against its detractors Wednesday for what it claims is an illegal campaign to make athletes boycott its event.

The Enhanced Games filed the lawsuit in federal court in New York, naming World Aquatics, USA Swimming and the World Anti-Doping Agency as defendants. They are seeking damages and injunctive relief to stop what they say is the defendants' illegal campaign.

The lawsuit keys on a rule adopted by Switzerland-based World Aquatics earlier this year that threatens to banish athletes who compete in «sporting events that embrace the use of scientific advancements or other practices that may include prohibited substances and/or prohibited methods.»

In an interview with The Associated Press, Enhanced Games president Aron D'Souza insisted the lawsuit was not a publicity stunt but rather an attempt to remedy «the real damage that's being done» to swimmers and other athletes who are dissuaded from competing.

None of the defendants immediately returned messages left by The Associated Press seeking comment. WADA has criticized the idea first touted in 2023 as dangerous and irresponsible.

Thus far, the Enhanced Games have signed five athletes to compete in Las Vegas in May with competitions in track, swimming and weightlifting offering $500,000 first prizes.

D'Souza — who helped steer billionaire Peter Thiel to bankroll Hulk Hogan's sex-tape lawsuit against Gawker that resulted in a $140 million verdict — said «natural» athletes who compete at world championships and Olympics are welcome to test themselves at the Enhanced Games, and he presumes the prize money would be tempting.

«But until this issue is resolved, it's