Guyanese Olympian and Pan American Games silver medallist Jasmine Abrams is set to compete in the upcoming Enhanced Games, a privately funded international multi-sport event scheduled for May 24 in Las Vegas. The competition has attracted global attention and controversy because it allows athletes to use performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) under medical supervision, breaking away from the strict anti-doping policies enforced by traditional sporting bodies such as the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
One of Guyana’s Top Track Athletes
Abrams, who was named Guyana’s National Sportswoman of the Year in 2023, is among the country’s most accomplished track athletes. She currently holds the national record in the women’s 100 metres with a time of 11.07 seconds and has represented Guyana at several major international competitions. Abrams also competed at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, where she represented Guyana alongside her sister Aliyah Abrams, the national record-holder in the women’s 400 metres. The Abrams sisters have become two of Guyana’s most prominent figures in athletics.
The Controversial Enhanced Games
The Enhanced Games, founded by Australian entrepreneur Aron D’Souza, aims to redefine competitive sport by removing traditional anti-doping restrictions.Organisers say the concept is designed to explore the limits of human performance, arguing that medically supervised enhancements could push athletes to new levels while maintaining health oversight. However, the idea has drawn strong criticism from sporting authorities, athletes, and medical professionals who warn that permitting PED use could pose serious health risks and undermine the integrity of sport.
Major Prize Incentives
Despite the controversy, the Enhanced Games has attracted interest due to its significant financial incentives. Organisers have announced that athletes who break world records in selected events could earn a US$1 million bonus, in addition to other prize earnings. Abrams’ participation means Guyana will have representation in the inaugural edition of the event, which is expected to feature athletes from multiple disciplines seeking to test the limits of human performance. The Las Vegas competition is expected to draw global attention as the sporting world debates whether the Enhanced Games represents the future of high-performance sport or a controversial experiment that challenges long-standing athletic principles.
