The Enhanced Games, a professional competition where athletes will be permitted to use performance-enhancing drugs, is scheduled to go ahead in Las Vegas this time next year.
At an official announcement on Wednesday, organisers revealed that Enhanced Games athlete Kristian Gkolomeev has already swum the 50m freestyle in ‘world record’ time as part of the performance-enhancing program.
Context
The Enhanced Games will be a competition where athletes are given access to performance-enhancing drugs under medical supervision to test the upper limits of human performance.
Athletes will only have access to drugs that are legally prescribed.
Events include swimming, running, hurdles, and weightlifting.
Aron D’Souza, President and Founder of the Enhanced Games, said at the announcement: “The Enhanced Games are not just a competition — they’re a movement. We’re embracing the full spectrum of human potential, and that begins with transparency, science, and choice. The time is now.”
The Games are backed by several wealthy investors, including Donald Trump Jr. and the co-founder of PayPal, Peter Thiel.
'World record'
Part of the announcement was the revelation that Gkolomeev, a four-time Olympian representing Greece, swam the 50m freestyle in 20.89 seconds this February under the Enhanced Games regime.
The legal world record is 20.91.
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Gkolomeev, who was using performance-enhancing drugs and wearing a suit not approved by swimming’s governing body, was awarded $US1 million ($AU1.55 million) for breaking the record.
Australians?
The most high-profile Australian set to compete is swimmer James Magnussen, a two-time Olympian who won a silver medal in the 100m freestyle at the 2012 Games.
Magnussen has been the face of the Enhanced Games since signing up in early 2024. He was incentivised by the promise of prize money for the 50m record.
After Gkolomeev’s record, Magnussen has missed that opportunity, but will still compete at the games.
Another Australian involved is two-time Olympic swimmer Brett Hawke, who has been named as the head swimming coach for the Enhanced Games.
His best result as an Olympian was 6th in the 50m freestyle at the 2004 Games.
He will reportedly be paid $US250,000 ($AU380,000) a year in his role with the Enhanced Games.
Response
Sarah Benson, CEO of Sport Integrity Australia, said in a statement: “We work to ensure that sport is safe and fair for all. The Enhanced Games is promoting the complete opposite and poses a significant risk to athlete health and safety while undermining the fundamental values of sport in Australia.”
Travis Tygart, CEO of the US Anti-Doping Agency, said: “It’s a dangerous clown show, not real sport”.
