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yesterday

Enhanced Games Faces Global Backlash as Australian Officials Warn Athletes Against Participation

The controversial event, set for May 2026 in Las Vegas, permits performance-enhancing drugs and lures athletes with lucrative prizes, drawing criticism from anti-doping bodies and Olympic officials.

Swimming - European Aquatics Championships - Sports and Recreational Center Milan Gale Muskatirovic, Belgrade, Serbia - June 23, 2024 Gold medallist, Greece's Kristian Gkolomeev poses with his medal on the podium after winning the men's 50m freestyle final REUTERS/Novak Djurovic/File Photo
Gkolomeev, a 31-year-old Bulgarian-born Greek who finished fifth in the Paris Olympics last summer, claims to have set a new world record
Cam McEvoy won gold at the Paris Olympics
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Overview

  • The Enhanced Games, founded by Aron D’Souza, will debut in May 2026 in Las Vegas, featuring swimming, athletics, and weightlifting events where performance-enhancing drugs are allowed.
  • Australian Olympic Committee chief Mark Arbib strongly discouraged athletes from participating, calling the event dangerous and contrary to the principles of fair play and athlete welfare.
  • Sport Integrity Australia and the World Anti-Doping Agency have condemned the games, citing significant health risks and potential harm to global anti-doping efforts.
  • Athletes, including James Magnussen and Kristian Gkolomeev, have expressed interest due to the financial incentives, which include $250,000 per gold medal and $1 million bonuses for breaking specific world records.
  • Olympic champion Cam McEvoy dismissed a drug-fueled record set by Gkolomeev as irrelevant, criticizing the event’s prioritization of performance over athlete safety.