The Enhanced Games, a planned multi-sport event set to allow performance-enhancing drugs under medical supervision, is scheduled for May 22-25, 2025, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.[1][2]

CEO Max Martin argues that supervised enhancements promote safety and fairness by avoiding unsupervised doping common in other competitions. "Saying that enhancements are dangerous, in some circumstances, is true... but that is exactly what we stand against," Martin said in an interview with Fox News Digital.[3]

The event will feature continuous athlete monitoring by doctors, with personalized protocols based on health data and blood tests. Athletes receive guidance on approved substances, and some have discontinued unapproved ones pending further safety research, Martin said.[3]

Confirmed participants include Greek swimmer Kristian Gkolomeev, who swam 20.89 seconds in the 50m freestyle -- the fastest time ever recorded -- at the 2023 Greek National Championships on February 4 in Athens.[4][5] Australian swimmer James Magnussen, a four-time world champion, and Icelandic strongman Hafþór Björnsson, who set the elephant bar deadlift world record of 501 kg (1,104 lb) on May 2, 2020,[6][7] have also signed on.

Prize money includes a minimum of $250,000 for gold medalists in swimming, athletics and strength sports, plus $1 million for world record breakers.[1]

Martin emphasized transparency, allowing athletes to opt out of enhancements while knowing competitors' protocols. Björnsson echoed this, noting extensive pre-competition health checks including heart scans and blood work make him feel "in good hands."[3]

The event has drawn criticism as the "Steroid Olympics," but Martin maintains it prioritizes health over punitive testing.[3]

Sources

1. Enhanced Games. "Home." Accessed October 10, 2024. https://www.theenhancedgames.com/
2. The Guardian. "Doping allowed: what are the Enhanced Games and why are athletes signing up?" May 21, 2024. https://www.theguardian.com/sport/article/2024/may/21/doping-allowed-what-are-the-enhanced-games-and-why-are-athletes-signing-up
3. Fox News. "Enhanced Games CEO Max Martin explains how the event will be safer than the Olympics." August 2024. https://www.foxnews.com/sports/enhanced-games-ceo-max-martin-explains-how-event-will-be-safer-than-olympics
4. SwimSwam. "Kristian Gkolomeev Swims 20.89 in 50 Free – Fastest Time Ever." February 5, 2023. https://swimswam.com/kristian-gkolomeev-swims-20-89-in-50-free-fastest-time-ever/
5. World Aquatics. "Men's 50m Freestyle All-Time List." Accessed October 10, 2024. https://www.worldaquatics.com/records/all-time?disciplineId=100016&gender=M&agegroup=senior&course=lcm&eventId=704