The “Enhanced Games” took place in Las Vegas.Image: keystone
The controversial “Enhanced Games”, a kind of Olympics in which doping is encouraged, took place in Las Vegas this weekend. The athletes only outperformed the world elite in a single competition.
May 25, 2026, 09:41May 25, 2026, 09:41
A single world record was broken at the highly controversial event in the US casino city of Las Vegas: Greek swimmer Kristian Golomeew managed to beat Australian Cameron McEvoy’s “clean” world record in the 50 meter freestyle. The 32-year-old clocked a time of 20.81 seconds, McEvoy’s record is 20.88. For Golomeew, participating is at least financially worthwhile: In addition to $250,000, he also received a $1 million bonus for breaking an existing world record, like Yahoo Sports writes.
Kristian Golomeew swam faster over 50 meters freestyle than anyone has ever swam before – it is not known which substances helped him do this.Image: keystone
In addition to the Greek, many of the doping athletes, who did not have to disclose what substances they had consumed, failed to meet the records of the world elite. This is despite the fact that big names tried their hand at the competition. Sprinter Fred Kerley, who said he competed without any performance-enhancing substances, won the men’s 100-meter dash in 9.97 seconds. This meant that the Tokyo 2021 Olympic runner-up remained a good four tenths above Usain Bolt’s historic mark and also well above his own record (9.76 seconds). He was the only one of the participants to stay under ten seconds.
Fred Kerley won in his discipline.Image: keystone
The difference was even clearer for women in the premier discipline of athletics. Winner Tristan Evelyn won with a time of 11.25 seconds. The world record set by Florence Griffith-Joyner in 1988 is 10.49 seconds. Although the American never tested positive, there is numerous evidence that she was also under the influence of performance-enhancing drugs when she set her record.
That is exactly one of the main arguments of the Enhanced Games organizers: Aron d’Souza, an Australian entrepreneur who invented the concept, claims that 99 percent of athletes in competitions are doped anyway. That’s why his games are a more transparent alternative. Of course, d’Souza did not provide any evidence for his claim.
No existing world records were broken in various weightlifting disciplines either. Thor Björnsson, known as “Mountain” from the series “Game of Thrones”, tried his hand at deadlifting, where he wanted to improve his own world record of 510 kilograms. He didn’t succeed, the Icelander managed “only” 475 kilograms. Björnsson was one of the few participants who revealed what substances he had taken. The 37-year-old told the BBChe has no problem owning up to his steroid use; it is already widespread and accepted in the professional strongman scene.
Hafthor Björnsson during his deadlift record attempt.Image: keystone
While world records failed to materialize, several participants achieved new personal bests in various disciplines. What sporting value these have is as controversial as the games themselves. For many of the participants, the event was less about the performance itself and more about the extremely high starting fees, as several had openly admitted in advance. British swimmer and Olympic runner-up Ben Proud, for example, explained:
“There is no money to be made in my sport. I’m 30 years old and have won an Olympic silver medal, so which path should I take?”
Proud, who was banned for life by the British Swimming Federation for his participation, said he would have to be at the top of the world for 13 years to earn the $250,000 prize money for a single win at the Enhanced Games.
Ben Proud deservedly won the 50 meter butterfly in 22.32 seconds. The world record is 22.27 seconds.Image: keystone
In addition to the obvious ethical question marks behind the competition, the financing of the games also caused criticism. Billionaire investors such as the right-wing libertarian Palantir founder and declared enemy of democracy Peter Thiel supported the Enhanced Games, as did other wealthy entrepreneurs. Donald Trump Jr., son of the US President, also contributed financially to the games. (con)
More about the enhanced games: