Swimming world body to banish athletes and supporters of doping-fueled event in Las Vegas

LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AP) — Swimmers and officials who compete in and support a doping-fueled sports event planned in Las Vegas will be banished from the sport, the governing body World Aquatics said on Tuesday.

Organizers of the Enhanced Games scheduled next May promise $1 million bonuses for athletes who beat world record times over sprint distances in the pool or on the track. Weightlifting also is on the program.

A small group of past Olympic swimmers, including three-time medalist James Magnussen of Australia, are among athletes who signed up for the event that aims to push limits beyond the rules of clean sport.

“Those who enable doped sport are not welcome at World Aquatics or our events,” its president Husain al-Musallam said in a statement after the decision.

The new rule targets those who “support, endorse, or participate in sporting events that embrace the use of scientific advancements or other practices that may include prohibited substances and/or prohibited methods,” the world swim body said.

“This ineligibility would apply to roles such as athlete, coach, team official, administrator, medical support staff, or government representative.”

Enhanced Games organizers had a launch event last month for the inaugural event at a Vegas resort, with plans for a year-round training base. Athletes are not subject to doping tests though they should have their health monitored.

The project also involves selling personalized programs of supplements and substances to people who pay a refundable $99 deposit. One investment group is backed by Donald Trump Jr.

The World Anti-Doping Agency has criticized the idea first touted in 2023 as dangerous and irresponsible.

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FILE - Australia's James Magnussen smiles as he hold the gold medal he won in the Men's 100m freestyle final at the FINA Swimming World Championships in Barcelona, Spain, on Aug. 1, 2013. (AP Photo/Michael Sohn, File)

EINDHOVEN, Netherlands (AP) — United States international Ricardo Pepi was to be operated on after breaking his right arm during a game with PSV Eindhoven and is expected to be out for two months.

The recovery timeline should give Pepi enough time to regain his form and secure a place on the U.S. team for a home World Cup.

The 23-year-old Pepi was injured when he tumbled after scoring during the first half of a 5-1 win over Excelsior in the Dutch league on Saturday.

“It didn’t look good right away and at such a moment you would prefer to look the other way,” PSV coach Peter Bosz said. “Last January Ricardo was already out due to his knee injury. It won’t last that long now, but unfortunately we lost him again. Pepi was on a good run, had a strong training camp and was all the way back. … All signs were green for a strong second half of the season, so this is incredibly disappointing.”

Pepi has scored 13 goals and provided three assists in 34 matches for the U.S.

The U.S. faces Paraguay, Australia and another team still to be determined through qualifying playoffs in the group stage of the June 11-July 19 World Cup, which will also be co-hosted by Canada and Mexico.

Pepi was surprisingly left off the U.S. squad for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

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FILE - PSV's Ricardo Pepi reacts after missing a scoring chance during a Champions League opening phase soccer match between PSV and Union SG, at the PSV stadium in Eindhoven, Netherlands, Sept.16, 2025. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong, file)