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Are performance-enhancing drugs the future of sport?

19th - 26th September 2025

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13033

5-11 votes

53537

11-16+ votes

66570

Total votes

Following news that the first Brit (former Team GB swimmer Ben Proud) will be joining the Enhanced Games in Las Vegas next year, we asked voters to consider their stance on this new competition. The VoteTopic explored fairness in sport, and whether performance-enhancing measures help athletes put their best foot forward or overstep the mark. Will the Enhanced Games, due to kick off in May 2026, change the game for good? Close to 67,000 young people voted, with many more debating the issue in their classrooms.

Secondary, 16+ & College voters were asked: “Are performance-enhancing drugs the future of sport?”, while Primary 7-11 voters discussed: “Should sport always be fair?” and Primary 5-7 voters considered, “Is it ever ok to cheat in a game?”

66,570 young people in the UK have taken part in this vote.

Under-16s Phones Child

Age 5-11 voter

"Sport should always be fair because if you keep breaking the rules (e.g. handball in football) you get an unfair advantage.”

Under-16s Phone Teenager

Age 11-16 voter

"Separate competitions for performance-enhancing drugs makes it equal and fair- as long as they stay apart!"

Under-16s Phones Student

Age 11-16 voter

"No - Performance-enhanced sport is completely unnecessary; sport is about athletes showing their natural ability. One drug could lead to another [which] is a dangerous game to play."

Feedback from our Impact Partners...

Thank you to Emma Hooton-Smith from UKAD for responding to young people's voices on this VoteTopic!

  • Secondary students were discussing the question, "Are performance-enhancing drugs the future of sport?"
  • The majority, at 88% voted 'No', with many questioning the ethics of encouraging drug use. Some worried that promoting drugs in sport could raise addiction rates among athletes and recreational players.

  • Primary pupils aged 7-11 learned about the Enhanced Games, before determining "Should sport always be fair?"
  • Over 3 in 4 said 'Yes', with many arguing that performance-enhanced drugs remove fairness from competitive sport.
  • Primary pupils aged 5-7 were discussing, "Is it ever ok to cheat in a game?" and 73% voted 'No'.
  • Of the quite considerable number who voted 'Yes', many said that certain sports require clever tactics that don't necessarily follow the rules of fairness.
Some felt online scams are only a problem for older generations.

  • College and 16+ students were discussing the same question as Secondary students: "Are performance-enhancing drugs the future of sport?"
  • With a slightly slimmer majority, 83% said 'No'.

  • The most common concern was that the use of performance-enhancing drugs is unfair on athletes who don't participate. World records are more likely to be held by those who have taken drugs.
  • Some said it takes the wonder out of sporting achievements, as we will end up celebrating a drug's achievements over an athlete's natural ability.
  • Others didn't mind the introduction of these drugs, however most clarified that it would only be fair if the two types of competitions were kept entirely separate from each other.
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