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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Video gamers face tournament drug tests | Video gamers face tournament drug tests |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| A top video game tournament company has launched an anti-doping scheme, after a top player admitted taking a performance-enhancing drug. | A top video game tournament company has launched an anti-doping scheme, after a top player admitted taking a performance-enhancing drug. |
| Kory Friesen, known as Semphis, said he had taken an ADHD medicine called Adderall at a tournament in March. | Kory Friesen, known as Semphis, said he had taken an ADHD medicine called Adderall at a tournament in March. |
| The Electronic Sports League (ESL) said it would work with the World Anti-Doping Agency to create a "fair, feasible and conclusive" policy. | The Electronic Sports League (ESL) said it would work with the World Anti-Doping Agency to create a "fair, feasible and conclusive" policy. |
| One video game expert told the BBC doping was a "big problem". | One video game expert told the BBC doping was a "big problem". |
| Competitive gaming, known as eSports, is a growing phenomenon. | Competitive gaming, known as eSports, is a growing phenomenon. |
| The ESL says it is the world's largest eSports organisation, with close to six million members. | The ESL says it is the world's largest eSports organisation, with close to six million members. |
| Players take part in global tournaments for the chance to win prizes of up to $500,000 (£322,700). | Players take part in global tournaments for the chance to win prizes of up to $500,000 (£322,700). |
| Fast reflexes | Fast reflexes |
| "A lot of games are about the number of interactions per minute and you need fast reflexes to compete," said Tom Phillips, deputy news editor for the Eurogamer website. | "A lot of games are about the number of interactions per minute and you need fast reflexes to compete," said Tom Phillips, deputy news editor for the Eurogamer website. |
| "Some of the competitions are worth a lot of money and you might get fame and sponsorship deals too. You can see why some people enhance their performance illegally. | "Some of the competitions are worth a lot of money and you might get fame and sponsorship deals too. You can see why some people enhance their performance illegally. |
| "I think it's a big problem, if the sport is going to be taken seriously," he said. | "I think it's a big problem, if the sport is going to be taken seriously," he said. |
| Mr Friesen candidly admitted taking Adderall during a competition in an interview posted on YouTube. | Mr Friesen candidly admitted taking Adderall during a competition in an interview posted on YouTube. |
| Adderall is a brand of stimulant only available with a prescription. It is typically used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. | Adderall is a brand of stimulant only available with a prescription. It is typically used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. |
| Some people take it illegally because they find it increases concentration and reduces reaction times. | Some people take it illegally because they find it increases concentration and reduces reaction times. |
| "In traditional sports, athletes might take performance-enhancing drugs to increase their physical ability," said Mr Phillips. | |
| "In eSports, gamers take them to increase mental ability." | "In eSports, gamers take them to increase mental ability." |
| On Thursday, the ESL said it would introduce checks for performance-enhancing drugs to "maintain the spirit of fair play within eSports". | On Thursday, the ESL said it would introduce checks for performance-enhancing drugs to "maintain the spirit of fair play within eSports". |
| The company said it would conduct skin tests at its next tournament in August, although it had not yet published a list of banned substances. | The company said it would conduct skin tests at its next tournament in August, although it had not yet published a list of banned substances. |
| It also announced a prevention programme to educate gamers about the risks of doping, and provide "the structural support they need to help them manage the physical and emotional pressure of professional gaming". | It also announced a prevention programme to educate gamers about the risks of doping, and provide "the structural support they need to help them manage the physical and emotional pressure of professional gaming". |
| Mr Phillips said: "It's a new form of entertainment and it's only because one guy stepped forward that it's been forced to act. | |
| "Hopefully now there's pressure on other organisations like Major League Gaming to step up too." | "Hopefully now there's pressure on other organisations like Major League Gaming to step up too." |