ESL to Begin Testing Players for Performance Enhancing Drugs

In light of a professional Counterstrike: Global Offensive player’s admission to the usage of performance enhancing drugs to improve focus during competitive events, ESL has introduced new policies to counter the usage of such substances. This is the first time strict anti-doping measures will be enforced in competitive video gaming. In a newsletter posted from ESL’s website, senior editor Ella McConnell noted larger monetary prize pools as a driving factor for rule-breaking.

“The popularity and visibility of esports has grown exponentially in recent years, but this combined with the increasing size of prize pools has also made the temptation of rule-breaking even greater.”

In an interview posted to YouTube on July 12, Kory “Semphis” Friesen casually admitted that we were all on Adderall, a statement that attracted greater attention two weeks ago.

Adderall increases the activity of certain neurotransmitters and is used in the treatment of ADHD. Additionally, it can be used as a mental performance enhancer. Adderall is usually obtained with a prescription. Last Thursday, July 23, ESL announced in a partnership with NADA, the Nationale Anti Doping Agentur (headquartered in Bonn, Germany) that it would be administering skin tests at future Intel Extreme Masters, ESL One and ESL ESEA Pro League events. This is the first time strict anti-doping measures will be enforced in competitive video gaming.