The inaugural Enhanced Games open this Sunday in Las Vegas, allowing elite athletes to openly compete while using performance-enhancing substances traditionally banned in international sporting events.
Organizers confirmed the multi-sport event will feature competitions in track and field, weightlifting, strongman, and swimming before an invite-only audience of roughly 2,500 spectators.
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Winners receive $250,000 US, with $1 million US promised for breaking world records in the 100-metre sprint and 50-metre butterfly, though mainstream bodies will not recognize these milestones.
Backlash and Criticism
The competition has drawn fierce condemnation from global athletic organizations, which warn that the concept undermines fair play and threatens competitor health.
The International Olympic Committee and the World Anti-Doping Agency athletes commission issued a joint statement fiercely opposing the event's core philosophy.
"Promoting performance-enhancing substances sends a dangerous message – especially to current and future generations of athletes," the statement says.
"Such substances can lead to serious long-term health consequences – even death – and encouraging athletes to use them is utterly irresponsible and immoral."
World Athletics president Lord Coe also criticized the event, publicly labeling anyone choosing to participate in the games as moronic.
World Aquatics subsequently established a new regulatory policy officially banning any participating athletes from competing in its traditional mainstream events.
Organizers' Defense and Business Model
Australian businessman and Enhanced Games creator Aron D'Souza defended the initiative during a public event as a necessary evolution of modern athletic competition.
