Athletes scheduled to compete in this summer's Paris Olympics have expressed interest in competing in the Enhanced Games, where doping is allowed, the tournament's founder said.
Aaron D'Souza said the athletes who have contacted him are looking to “actually make money” during the non-Olympic period.
Enhanced Games, which D'Souza founded in 2023, is not subject to World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) rules.
“Excellence deserves to be rewarded,” said the Australian businessman.
Wada called enhanced gaming a “dangerous and irresponsible concept.”
“It's a shame that our Olympic athletes earn so little,” D'Souza told BBC World Service Sport.
“There are a lot of athletes who are going to the Paris Olympics, including some of the top track and field athletes on the U.S. team, who contacted me. To be honest, they're trying to support themselves. Because you're flipping burgers, and it doesn't work out economically.
“So they're very excited to compete in the Enhanced Games to actually earn money and have the opportunity to monetize and practice their sport during the three years the Olympics won't be held, and to have a chance to make a name for themselves.” doing.”
The strength competition will include track and field, swimming, weightlifting, gymnastics and martial arts, but the date and venue have not yet been decided.
In criticizing the Games, Wada said, “Athletes are role models and we believe that this proposed Games would send the wrong signal to young people around the world.”
D'Souza defended the proposed event, saying measures would be taken to minimize risks to athletes' health.
“Of course there are health and safety concerns, but I always emphasize the fact that everything is done under clinical supervision,” he said.
“The best thing to do is to take clinical advice and clinical supervision to improve yourself; it's much safer that way.”
Earlier this month, former champion James Magnussen agreed to come out of retirement to compete in the Olympics and try to swim faster than the 50m freestyle record. $1 million (£792,000) in exchange.
Even if Magnussen swam faster than the world record, it would not be an official record because there is no drug testing system.
“It goes against the Olympic ideals”
Former British Olympic 200m butterfly bronze medalist Steve Parry has criticized the Enhanced Games concept and the message it sends to young athletes.
“I really don't like it at all. It goes against virtually every point of what I've stood for and what I think the Olympics represent,” he told BBC World Service Sport told.
“I think the Olympics are mainly about making kids want to do really good things in sports, but the society we exist in today is so cutthroat.
“It takes a long time to win a medal at the Olympics and I am concerned about the message this sends to others.”
Parry, who retired from swimming in 2005, said he shares D'Souza's concerns about athletes' pay, but believes money is not the main motivator for athletes.
“If you ask Olympians why they do what they do, I don't think money really comes into consideration,” the 46-year-old added.
“The Olympic commitment is one of the purest things we have left, and I think it's a worthy concept worth fighting for.”
