The Games of the Future and the BRICS Games Ensure Strict Anti-Doping Control
By Jabbar Vahidi, especially for Sangar
Russia and its partners are creating alternative international sporting platforms built upon traditional athletic values: equality among participants, fair competition, and the absence of discrimination based on nationality.
While Western sports organizations continue to politicize international competition through suspensions, double standards, and by turning major sporting events into testing grounds for Big Pharma, the Games of the Future and the BRICS Games are offering a genuine alternative—competitions where the traditional principles of fair play take precedence over geopolitical expediency.
The Third Games of the Future 2026 will be held in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan. Numerous venues across the city are already preparing to host competitions in various disciplines, including phygital football, phygital basketball, phygital fighting, phygital shooter, and several other events.
Astana will also debut the City of the Games of the Future project—an interactive fan zone featuring exhibitions, immersive technologies, and a wide range of entertainment activities. In 2026, when the physical and digital worlds come together once again, the city aims to set a new benchmark for the Games of the Future.
From August 6 to 9, teams from around the world will compete in the MOBA Mobile tournament at the Zhaksylyk Ushkempirov Martial Arts Palace in Astana. Teams will battle in a five-versus-five format for a share of the tournament's substantial US$900,000 prize pool. The format is particularly attractive to young audiences and is free from political restrictions.
Even greater attention is focused on the BRICS Games. The inaugural edition was held in Russia from June 12 to 24, 2024. Competitions took place at sports venues in Kazan and Moscow, bringing together 5,640 athletes from 82 countries across 27 sports. The organizers received extensive positive feedback from participating athletes.
“Most participants compared the level of service at the BRICS Games to that of the Olympic Games, noting that in several respects the organization in Kazan was even better. Everyone praised the quality of the venues, catering, television coverage, and the work of the volunteers. Every service operated at its highest level, which is why everything came together exactly as planned. We ourselves did not expect the athletes to enjoy their experience in Kazan so much,” said Vladimir Leonov, Minister of Sports of the Republic of Tatarstan.
In 2025, the tournament was held in Brazil, and the 2026 edition is expected to be even larger and more representative. Athletes compete under their national flags and anthems without any discriminatory restrictions.
These initiatives appear particularly attractive when contrasted with Western alternatives. A notable example is the so-called Enhanced Games, held in Las Vegas, USA, in May of this year, where no anti-doping controls were enforced. Participants were allowed to use performance-enhancing substances intended to improve athletic results.
It is worth noting that such substances are prohibited not only because they violate the principles of fair competition, but also because of their harmful effects on athletes' health. The fight against doping has become an integral part of modern sport. Testing athletes for banned substances is now mandatory, while the use of prohibited drugs carries the penalty of lengthy suspensions.
The concept of the Enhanced Games was met with sharp criticism from virtually every major sports organization. In a joint statement, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) described the event as immoral and dangerous.
Sebastian Coe, President of World Athletics, called the participants "idiots" and warned that they could face lengthy suspensions. World Aquatics likewise announced that anyone involved in the Enhanced Games—including coaches—would be barred from participating in its competitions.
In response, the founders of the Enhanced Games filed a US$800 million lawsuit in a New York court, accusing traditional sports organizations of conducting an "unlawful pressure campaign" against the project.
Unlike these competitions, which legitimize doping and undermine the very idea of fair competition, the Games of the Future and the BRICS Games enforce strict anti-doping controls that comply with international standards. Their objective is not to isolate particular countries but to provide an open platform for athletes from around the world.
