Allowed substances include testosterone, anabolics like methenolone and nandrolone, metabolic modulators such as meldonium, stimulants including Adderall, and hormones like human growth hormone and EPO.
According to event organizers, 37 of the 42 athletes participated in an International Review Board (IRB) trial in Abu Dhabi from January to May to monitor their health and substance usage.
American swimmer Hunter Armstrong and Barbadian swimmer Tristan Evelyn are participating without enhancing, while American gold medalist Cody Miller and weightlifters Wes Kitts and Dylan Cooper are enhancing with private approved doctors outside the trial.
Financial Incentives and Projected Records
Athletes receive yearly salaries that are often three to five times higher than the funding provided by their national federations, alongside an appearance fee.
The event features a $500,000 prize pool per event, with winners taking home $250,000, plus an additional $250,000 for breaking a world record.
>>> DP World Tour and England Golf Revive English Open in Worcestershire
Winners of the 50m freestyle and 100m sprint will receive a $1 million bonus for breaking a world record, although none of these milestones will be officially recognized by global sports authorities.
Swimming records are highly likely to fall due to the combined use of performance-enhancing substances and polyurethane speed suits, which are also banned in traditional competitions.
The current all-time raw deadlift world record of 510kg, established by Icelandic strongman Hafthór "Thor" Björnsson, is also anticipated to be surpassed during the competition.
Backlash From Sports Governing Bodies
The global sporting community has responded with fierce criticism, and Wada has entirely dismissed the safety claims made by the organizers.
