Josha Salchow Takes
a Stand Against
Enhanced Games

The Campaign

With its new campaign "Your Sport. Your Decision.", the National Anti-Doping Agency Germany (NADA) has sparked a clear societal debate. The trigger is the Enhanced Games, where athletes knowingly use performance-enhancing substances to deliver maximum results.

The Protagonists

The campaign's protagonists include Germany's fastest swimmer, Josha Salchow, and the deputy chair of the NADA supervisory board and athlete representative Léa Krüger — both known for their clear stance, sporting excellence and social commitment. Salchow is not only Germany's medal hope for the 2028 Olympic Games, he also repeatedly uses his voice to speak up on sporting and societal issues.

Statement — Josha Salchow

"We are at a point that is decisive for the future of sport as we know it. In the context of our history and understanding of sport, and the responsibility we as athletes want to take on as role models, this movement is a disgrace to sport. The federations, international sport, business and society all have a duty to protect athletes by creating an environment in which movements like this have no chance." Josha Salchow, swimmer, Olympian, multiple German champion and record holder over 50m and 100m freestyle

Historical Responsibility

With this, Salchow addresses the financial shortfall that many athletes across different sports have to make up for on their own, alongside their sport. For him, events like the Enhanced Games — which permit doping and pay athletes extremely high appearance and prize money — cannot be justified in any way. Above all for moral reasons, but also because of the terrible experiences that had to be endured in the past.

The mechanisms now being used to lure athletes into doping-permitted competitions through financial incentives are structurally reminiscent of the state-organised doping in East Germany (GDR). Back then, too, athletes were treated as a means to an end. That is why, alongside Josha Salchow and Léa Krüger, Andreas Krieger and Thomas Götze are also part of the campaign. They give a powerful account of their experiences from back then, when they were knowingly doped as athletes, and speak in particular about the long-term consequences.

Statement — Léa Krüger

"Anyone who has publicly spoken out in favour of doping has no place in clean sport. Full stop. Federations, international sport, business and politics — they all bear responsibility for ensuring athletes are protected and don't become objects of commercial interest." Léa Krüger, former sabre fencer, European and World Championship participant, deputy chair of the NADA supervisory board, vice president of Athleten Deutschland e.V.

About Léa Krüger

Krüger brings more than her sporting biography to the campaign — 17 years on the German national team, individual vice-champion in 2023, national title to close out her career in Dresden in 2025 — she also brings her role as one of Germany's most outspoken athlete voices. As deputy chair of the NADA supervisory board and vice president of Athleten Deutschland e.V., she stands as an example for a generation of elite athletes who actively take on responsibility in sports politics.

About the Campaign

"Your Sport. Your Decision." is a NADA campaign in which Josha Salchow and Léa Krüger, together with former East German athletes Andreas Krieger and Thomas Götze, talk about the consequences of doping. At its centre is a five-part conversation series on YouTube, in which the four protagonists discuss performance pressure, success, the myth of "safe doping", long-term health consequences, and role models and responsibility in sport. The conversations are hosted by journalist and moderator Julia Kleine. Short-form videos for NADA's social media channels round out the campaign.

Content is available via NADA's digital channels and at www.nada.de.

Services