Wintry mix spreads across Minnesota

MPR News helps you turn down the noise and build shared understanding. Turn up your support for this public resource and keep trusted journalism accessible to all. 

Turn Up Your Support

If you thought that professional video game competitions would be the one sport immune to a doping scandal, you'd be wrong.


While it's not exactly the hill stage of the Tour de France, video games require alertness and stamina. And when top-level Counter-Strike: Global Offensive player Cory "Semphis" Friesen acknowledged in 

," a stimulant normally used to treat ADHD, during a recent tournament, the (gaming) authorities took notice.
The Electronic Sports League, which sponsored that $250,000 tournament, has issued a new rule, 


The gaming league said the restrictions, which include the same 

substances prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency

, apply "from the start of the first day until the end of the last day of competition," but not for their use outside tournaments.
The new rule will require random drug testing. 

 says the first such tests will be held at 

 later this month, "and more tests are planned to be performed at every event in the IEM, ESL One, and ESL ESEA Pro League competitions." And, yes, there is an exception for Adderall and other such drugs if they are prescribed by a physician and declared before game play commences.


 opines: "Practically, Friesen's public admission isn't surprising: esports is a career and has money in it, so just like regular sports, there will be those willing to take some drugs in order to increase their performance. It's only surprising that he admitted it in the first place, since it's not something that's spoken of very often."
However, 

: "ESL is just one eSports organization, and a very important one, but its new anti-doping policies won't cover eSports in their entirety. There are other big organizations, like League of Legends Championship Series (LCS) and 

Sports

If you thought that professional video game competitions would be the one sport immune to a doping scandal, you'd be wrong.


Video game league announces random drug tests for competitors

Go Deeper.

Like this?

News you can use in your inbox