{"id":244468,"date":"2026-05-21T07:00:05","date_gmt":"2026-05-21T07:00:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/05\/21\/enhanced-games-explained-sports-most-controversial-event-unpacked\/"},"modified":"2026-05-21T07:00:05","modified_gmt":"2026-05-21T07:00:05","slug":"enhanced-games-explained-sports-most-controversial-event-unpacked","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/05\/21\/enhanced-games-explained-sports-most-controversial-event-unpacked\/","title":{"rendered":"Enhanced Games explained: sport\u2019s most controversial event unpacked"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p>\n<div id=\"\">\n<div data-spacefinder-role=\"nested\">\n<hr class=\"dcr-1peeo35\"\/>\n<h2 id=\"what-exactly-is-the-enhanced-games\" class=\"dcr-bry4uv\">What exactly is the Enhanced Games?<\/h2>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">A controversial new sports event that allows athletes to take performance enhancing drugs that are outlawed in official competitions \u2013 and also offers huge prizes to participate and \u201cbreak\u201d world records.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div data-spacefinder-role=\"nested\">\n<hr class=\"dcr-1peeo35\"\/>\n<h2 id=\"when-is-it-happening\" class=\"dcr-bry4uv\">When is it happening? <\/h2>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">This Sunday, 24 May, at a specially built 2,500-seater arena at Resorts World in Las Vegas. As things stand, 42 athletes will compete in the following events:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\n<li class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Swimming: 50m and 100m freestyle, 50m and 100m butterfly.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Track &amp; field: 100m.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Weightlifting: snatch, clean &amp; jerk.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Strongman: deadlift.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">There will then be a post-event show from the Killers.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"c44db97c-895c-4d6a-8633-cc52cc8776f1\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-173mewl\"><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-fd61eq\"><span class=\"dcr-1inf02i\"><svg width=\"18\" height=\"13\" viewbox=\"0 0 18 13\"><path d=\"M18 3.5v8l-1.5 1.5h-15l-1.5-1.5v-8l1.5-1.5h3.5l2-2h4l2 2h3.5l1.5 1.5zm-9 7.5c1.9 0 3.5-1.6 3.5-3.5s-1.6-3.5-3.5-3.5-3.5 1.6-3.5 3.5 1.6 3.5 3.5 3.5z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1qvd3m6\">The Killers will play a show after the Enhanced Games, which takes place in the band\u2019s home city of Las Vegas.<\/span> Photograph: Jim Dyson\/Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div data-spacefinder-role=\"nested\">\n<hr class=\"dcr-1peeo35\"\/>\n<h2 id=\"how-many-stars-are-involved\" class=\"dcr-bry4uv\">How many stars are involved? <\/h2>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">More than a dozen Olympic swimmers have signed up, including <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/sport\/2025\/sep\/11\/swimming-ben-proud-enhanced-games\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Britain\u2019s Ben Proud<\/a>, who won a silver medal in 50m freestyle at the Paris Games; Ukraine\u2019s Andriy Govorov, who holds the world record for the 50m butterfly; and the Australian former 100m freestyle world champion James Magnussen.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">In track and field, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/sport\/2025\/sep\/18\/enhanced-games-targets-british-stars-us-sprinter-fred-kerley\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">the biggest name by far<\/a> is the 2022 world 100m champion, Fred Kerley of the United States, whose personal best is 9.76sec.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Two other British athletes are competing: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/sport\/2026\/jan\/07\/reece-prescods-decision-to-join-enhanced-games-condemned-by-athletics-chiefs\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">the 100m sprinter Reece Prescod<\/a>, whose personal best is 9.93sec, and the swimmer Emily Barclay.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div data-spacefinder-role=\"nested\">\n<hr class=\"dcr-1peeo35\"\/>\n<h2 id=\"what-banned-substances-are-athletes-allowed-to-take\" class=\"dcr-bry4uv\">What banned substances are athletes allowed to take? <\/h2>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The Enhanced Games says that only drugs approved by America\u2019s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) can be taken. They include the following \u2013 which, it is important to note, are all outlawed by the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada):<\/p>\n<ul class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\n<li class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Testosterone and anabolics such as methenolone and nandrolone.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Hormones and growth factors, such as human growth hormone and EPO.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Metabolic modulators, such as meldonium, and stimulants, including Adderall.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The Enhanced Games says that 37 of its 42 athletes have been involved in an International Review Board (IRB) trial in Abu Dhabi from January to May, in which health professionals have monitored the substances being used and the competitors\u2019 health.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Two athletes involved (Hunter Armstrong of the USA and Tristan Evelyn from Barbados, both swimmers) are not enhancing. Three others (Cody Miller, an American swimmer who won a gold medal at Rio 2016, and Wes Kitts and Dylan Cooper, both American weightlifters) are enhancing with private approved doctors outside the trial.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"12413e51-72f7-4f38-81a8-2f3e2757e8ac\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-173mewl\"><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-fd61eq\"><span class=\"dcr-1inf02i\"><svg width=\"18\" height=\"13\" viewbox=\"0 0 18 13\"><path d=\"M18 3.5v8l-1.5 1.5h-15l-1.5-1.5v-8l1.5-1.5h3.5l2-2h4l2 2h3.5l1.5 1.5zm-9 7.5c1.9 0 3.5-1.6 3.5-3.5s-1.6-3.5-3.5-3.5-3.5 1.6-3.5 3.5 1.6 3.5 3.5 3.5z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1qvd3m6\">Hunter Armstrong, a double Olympic gold medallist, will compete without taking performance enhancing substances.<\/span> Photograph: Adam Pretty\/Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div data-spacefinder-role=\"nested\">\n<hr class=\"dcr-1peeo35\"\/>\n<h2 id=\"how-does-the-enhanced-games-justify-drug-taking\" class=\"dcr-bry4uv\">How does the Enhanced Games justify drug taking?<\/h2>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">By claiming that far more athletes cheat in traditional sports than are caught \u2013 and therefore the Enhanced Games claims it is being more transparent by allowing them to take drugs administered by qualified professionals.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">It also claims that athletes undergo \u201cfrequent and multilayered medical screenings including musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, brain, liver, kidney scans, blood and urine analysis, bone density analysis and a mental health battery.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div data-spacefinder-role=\"nested\">\n<hr class=\"dcr-1peeo35\"\/>\n<h2 id=\"what-is-wadas-response-to-those-claims\" class=\"dcr-bry4uv\">What is Wada\u2019s response to those claims?<\/h2>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/sport\/2025\/oct\/30\/enhanced-games-are-dangerous-and-must-be-stopped-says-wada-head\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Wada dismisses them completely<\/a>. It calls the Enhanced Games a \u201cdangerous and irresponsible concept\u201d and points out that the FDA-approved drugs are all on its banned list and may not be safe.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\u201cThis event seeks to promote the use of powerful substances and methods by athletes,\u201d it says. \u201cOver the years, there have been many examples of athletes suffering serious long-term side-effects from their use of prohibited substances and methods. Some have died.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div data-spacefinder-role=\"nested\">\n<hr class=\"dcr-1peeo35\"\/>\n<h2 id=\"how-much-are-the-athletes-getting-paid\" class=\"dcr-bry4uv\">How much are the athletes getting paid?<\/h2>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The Enhanced Games says that its athletes are receiving yearly salaries, often three to five times what they would get from their national federations, as well as an appearance fee. For all events there is a $500,000 prize pool, with the winner receiving $250,000 of that.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">If a winner breaks a world record they receive an additional $250k, except in the two glamour events (the 50m freestyle and 100m sprint) where the prize is an additional $1m.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div data-spacefinder-role=\"nested\">\n<hr class=\"dcr-1peeo35\"\/>\n<h2 id=\"will-world-records-be-beaten\" class=\"dcr-bry4uv\">Will world records be beaten?<\/h2>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Yes and no. It\u2019s impossible to imagine Usain Bolt\u2019s 100m record of 9.58sec being lowered without some serious shenanigans with the track. However swimming is a different story, given that the athletes will not only be using performance enhancing drugs but wearing polyurethane speed suits, which are also banned from official competition. None of these \u201cworld records\u201d will count officially.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Last year, for instance, the Enhanced Games swimmer Kristian Gkolomeev was paid $1m after unofficially breaking the 50m freestyle world record in a time of 20.89sec \u2013 however the Greek was using banned drugs and the speed suit.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The current all-time raw deadlift world record of 510kg, set by the Icelandic strongman (and Game of Thrones actor) Hafth\u00f3r \u201cThor\u201d Bj\u00f6rnsson, is also likely to be broken.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"97019ba3-e58e-4819-982e-4012023e95f6\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-173mewl\"><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-fd61eq\"><span class=\"dcr-1inf02i\"><svg width=\"18\" height=\"13\" viewbox=\"0 0 18 13\"><path d=\"M18 3.5v8l-1.5 1.5h-15l-1.5-1.5v-8l1.5-1.5h3.5l2-2h4l2 2h3.5l1.5 1.5zm-9 7.5c1.9 0 3.5-1.6 3.5-3.5s-1.6-3.5-3.5-3.5-3.5 1.6-3.5 3.5 1.6 3.5 3.5 3.5z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1qvd3m6\">Kristian Gkolomeev \u2018broke\u2019 the world 50m freestyle world record while performing under Enhanced Games rules.<\/span> Photograph: S\u00e9bastien Bozon\/AFP\/Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div data-spacefinder-role=\"nested\">\n<hr class=\"dcr-1peeo35\"\/>\n<h2 id=\"where-can-i-watch-it\" class=\"dcr-bry4uv\">Where can I watch it?<\/h2>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The Enhanced Games will be live streamed on Sunday evening local time through Roku across the US, and internationally on its YouTube channel.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div data-spacefinder-role=\"nested\">\n<hr class=\"dcr-1peeo35\"\/>\n<h2 id=\"what-is-the-view-of-mainstream-sport\" class=\"dcr-bry4uv\">What is the view of mainstream sport?<\/h2>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Sebastian Coe, the president of World Athletics, spoke for many sports federations. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/sport\/2024\/feb\/29\/world-athletics-sebastian-coe-moronic-enhanced-games\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\u201cIt\u2019s bollocks isn\u2019t it?\u201d<\/a> he said. \u201cI can\u2019t really get excited about it. There\u2019s only one message, and that is if anybody is moronic enough to officially take part in it, and they are in the traditional part of our sport, they\u2019ll get banned for a long time. But I really don\u2019t get sleepless nights about it.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Travis Tygart, CEO of the US Anti-Doping Agency, was equally blunt, saying: \u201cThis is a dangerous clown show, not real sport.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div data-spacefinder-role=\"nested\">\n<hr class=\"dcr-1peeo35\"\/>\n<h2 id=\"so-why-is-it-happening\" class=\"dcr-bry4uv\">So why is it happening? <\/h2>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The Enhanced Games claims to be a \u201cglobal movement that develops scientific insights, medical discoveries and record-breaking sports events to unite humanity and inspire innovation.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">But it also wants to sell a range of performance-enhancing drugs and supplements. It knows that the market for anti-ageing products is booming and wants to be a global leader. It claims that, unlike with many unregulated supplements bought from China, its products\u2019 quality is proven. And it hopes the exposure that Sunday night will give it will have people rushing to its supplements, testosteroneand peptides \u2013 many of which are not yet approved by the FDA.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/sport\/2026\/may\/21\/enhanced-games-explained-sports-most-controversial-event-unpacked\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What exactly is the Enhanced Games? A controversial new sports event that allows athletes to take performance enhancing drugs that are outlawed in official competitions \u2013 and also offers huge prizes to participate and \u201cbreak\u201d world records. When is it happening? This Sunday, 24 May, at a specially built 2,500-seater arena at Resorts World in [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":244469,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"tdm_status":"","tdm_grid_status":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[6802],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-244468","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-athetics"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/244468","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=244468"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/244468\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/244469"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=244468"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=244468"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=244468"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}