It’s like the Olympics – except steroids are allowed
It’s like the Olympics – except steroids are allowed
It s like the Olympics – Under the shimmering desert sun of Las Vegas, towering advertisements for “Live Enhanced” dominate the skyline. As the baritone voice of a sports commentator narrates the event, British swimmer Ben Proud and a lineup of athletes are highlighted, though the announcer is actually rehearsing in a newly opened outdoor venue. This location is the heart of one of the most contentious sporting events in recent memory: the Enhanced Games. A direct comparison to the Olympics, but with a twist—performance-enhancing substances are permitted, and the competition is as intense as its name suggests.
The Enhanced Games: A Bold Experiment
The inaugural Enhanced Games, set to begin on Sunday, will showcase elite athletes who have embraced the use of legal, FDA-approved drugs to push their physical limits. Unlike traditional competitions, this event allows substances like testosterone and human growth hormone, which are typically banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency. While the drugs are technically legal, their widespread use raises eyebrows, particularly among health professionals who warn of cardiovascular risks and stroke potential. The stakes are high, with $25 million in prize money distributed across disciplines such as track, weightlifting, and swimming.
For those who break world records, the rewards are even more substantial. For instance, the world record in certain events—such as the 100m sprint—comes with a $1 million bonus, a lure that could tempt even the most disciplined athletes. The event’s organizers argue that by making doping explicit, they are exposing the realities of modern competition. Critics, however, label the initiative as a challenge to the purity of sport, suggesting it undermines the Olympic ideal of fair play and natural ability.
Athletes’ Perspectives and Rebuttals
The athletes competing in the Enhanced Games have been vocal about their approach to performance enhancement. Hafthor Bjornsson, the Icelandic strongman who recently made headlines for his role in the “Game of Thrones” series, openly acknowledges his steroid use. He states that such practices are common in professional strongman competitions, making transparency a point of pride. “It’s accepted in our world,” Bjornsson says, highlighting a culture where drug use is not just permitted but anticipated.
Shania Collins, an American sprinter, adds that the Enhanced Games offer a level of honesty that other cheaters might lack. “We’re upfront and transparent from the beginning,” she explains. “How can you question our integrity when we’re clear about what we’re doing?” This stance contrasts sharply with the views of Travis Tygart, CEO of the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), who argues that the solution to doping is not to embrace it but to reform the current system. “You don’t need to be forced to take drugs to be the best,” Tygart tells the BBC. “The Olympics should be a place where athletes can compete cleanly without fear.”
Tygart emphasizes that while the Olympics’ anti-doping protocols have flaws, they should not be replaced with a system that normalizes cheating. “We want young athletes to believe they can win medals through hard work, not by injecting dangerous substances daily,” he states. This sentiment is echoed by organizations like UK Athletics, which has expressed dismay over athletes like Reece Prescod choosing to compete in the Enhanced Games. Prescod’s participation, revealed in January, has sparked controversy, with UK Athletics’ CEO, Jack Buckner, calling it “appalling.”
Financial Incentives and Athlete Motivations
The allure of financial rewards is a central driver for many participants. British swimmer Ben Proud, who secured a silver medal in the 50m freestyle at the Paris Olympics in 2024, is among those aiming to break records using performance-enhancing drugs. If he succeeds, he could claim a $1 million bonus. Even if he doesn’t set a new world record, he’ll still walk away with $250,000. “There’s no money in sport,” Proud remarks before the event. “I was 30 and had just earned a silver medal—what other path was left?”
Enhanced, the organization behind the games, claims that its model reveals a hidden truth about athletics: many competitors cheat under the radar. The company has already demonstrated this by awarding a doped swimmer $1 million for setting a record in a trial event earlier this year. This approach, however, has not gone unnoticed. UK Anti-Doping (Ukad) has criticized the Enhanced Games as a “reckless venture,” while GB Aquatics has stated that Ben Proud will not be selected for the British Olympic team again if he competes in the event. Despite these objections, the event continues to attract attention, with 42 athletes set to compete on Sunday.
The Debate Over Fairness
While some see the Enhanced Games as a bold step forward in sports innovation, others argue it represents a dangerous shift. The event’s founders, entrepreneurs Aron D’Souza and Maximilian Martin, have garnered support from notable figures like Peter Thiel and Donald Trump Jr., signaling a blend of business ambition and athletic performance. The question remains: is this a new era of sports, or a stark departure from its core values?
Enhanced organizers insist they are not undermining sport but rather bringing the hidden practices to light. They point to the fact that many athletes already use performance-enhancing drugs in the shadows, suggesting the event is a natural evolution. Yet, this perspective is challenged by those who believe that legalizing steroids erases the distinction between fair competition and cheating. As the Games approach, the debate over whether they represent progress or a threat to the Olympic spirit intensifies, with athletes like Proud at the center of the controversy.
Regardless of the discourse, the Enhanced Games have already made a mark. With their blend of high stakes, high-tech arenas, and high-profile backers, they symbolize a new frontier in sports where the boundaries between natural talent and artificial enhancement are blurred. As the first day of competition nears, the world watches to see if this experiment in performance will redefine the rules of the game—or leave a lasting stain on its legacy.