Panem, corticoids and circenses: the ethical fallout of Enhanced Games.

Abstract

The forthcoming Enhanced Games, scheduled for May 2026 in Las Vegas, mark a disruptive moment in the history of competitive sports. By institutionalising the use of performance-enhancing drugs under the guise of autonomy and medical supervision, these games promote a vision of human excellence rooted in pharmacological enhancement rather than natural talent and training. This article examines the medical, ethical and societal implications of such a paradigm shift. Drawing parallels with the Roman strategy of panem et circenses, we argue that the Enhanced Games represent not just a spectacle but a profound redefinition of athletic values, where health risks are commodified, ethical norms are undermined, and youth are exposed to dangerous models of success. Despite claims of harm reduction and innovation, the systemic normalisation of doping threatens to erode the spirit of sport and burden public health systems with iatrogenic consequences. We call for an urgent multidisciplinary dialogue involving physicians, ethicists, neuroscientists and policymakers to assess this trend and safeguard the principles of equity, integrity and well-being in competitive performance.