14 DAY TRIAL // It seems that the eSports world is ready to face some very real-world trouble linked to performance-enhancing drugs, as the ESL has announced that it plans to introduce a complete testing process and banning policy after Adderall has apparently become the drug of choice for those taking part in tournaments.
A source close to the organization is quoted by the Daily Dot as stating that discussions are now ongoing with the World Anti-Doping Agency and the National Anti Doping Agency.
The ESL is hoping to learn from their experience and to get them to participate in the random drug testing process that it wants to implement.
Urine analysis will apparently be used, and it seems that the plan is to issue bans during competitions in order to make sure that those who are seeking to gain an edge in performance through illegal means do not have an advantage.
ESL states, "PEDs is a topic we are discussing at an organizational level, and we will need to address industry-wide moving forward to maintain competitive integrity. We know we have to have a bigger discussion about it and that it’s a problem everyone is facing."
Adderall should be relatively easy to detect in a pro player, but other drugs might be used in the future that are harder to track.
eSports is attracting both money and cheats
ESL's move is linked to the admission made by Kory Friesen, aka Semphis, who said that he took Adderall in order to improve his performance and that such practices were widespread.
eSports is at the moment becoming big business, with companies ready to sponsor athletes and gamers ready to pay both to be present at the most interesting tournaments and to watch matches that are streamed.
This means that the pressure on the various competitors to deliver a solid performance is increasing, and they will be ready to use drugs as long as they can enhance their abilities.
It will be interesting to see how the teams will respond to the requirements for drug testing, and how many of them will be willing to get rid of athletes who are cheating.