Olympics on steroids: Enhanced Games sparks global doping debate

A new sporting competition that openly allows the use of certain performance-enhancing substances got underway in Las Vegas on Sunday (24 May), sparking debate across the global sporting community over fairness, athlete welfare and the future of elite competition, the BBC reports.

The event, called the Enhanced Games, has drawn comparisons to the Olympics, but with a major distinction. Athletes are permitted to use substances that are banned under conventional anti-doping rules.

Held at a newly built open-air venue in Las Vegas, the inaugural competition features elite athletes competing in swimming, athletics and weightlifting. 

Organisers have announced a total prize pool of $25 million, including cash rewards for winners and a $1 million bonus for selected world records.

Among the athletes attracting attention at the event are American sprinter Fred Kerley and British swimmer Ben Proud.

Under the competition's rules, substances such as testosterone and human growth hormone, which are prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), can be used as long as they remain legal and approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The Enhanced Games was founded in 2023 by entrepreneurs Aron D'Souza and Maximilian Martin and has received backing from investors including billionaire Peter Thiel and Donald Trump Jr.

Organisers argue that the event reflects an uncomfortable reality in elite sport, claiming athletes already seek performance advantages in secret and that the Enhanced Games simply brings those practices into the open.

However, critics have strongly rejected that argument.

Travis Tygart, chief executive of the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), said failures within existing anti-doping systems should be addressed through reform rather than permitting drug use.

According to Tygart, athletes should have confidence that competition remains fair and clean. He warned against creating pressure on younger generations to believe performance-enhancing substances are necessary for success.

Health experts have also expressed concern over the risks linked to anabolic steroids and growth hormones, warning of possible cardiovascular damage and increased stroke risk.

At a media event ahead of the competition at the Resorts World casino in Las Vegas, participating athletes answered questions about their decisions to compete. 

Only one athlete publicly disclosed the substances he was using.

Strongman Hafthor Bjornsson, known internationally for portraying The Mountain in "Game of Thrones," said he has no hesitation discussing steroid use because it is already widely accepted in professional strongman competitions. He is aiming to break his own deadlift record of 510kg.

American sprinter Shania Collins defended participation in the event and argued that openly acknowledging enhancement demonstrates more integrity than concealing it.

The competition has also triggered reactions from sporting authorities.

UK Athletics chief executive Jack Buckner said he was appalled after former Great Britain sprinter Reece Prescod signed up earlier this year. 

UK Anti-Doping described the event as a reckless venture.

GB Aquatics also stated that British swimmer Ben Proud will not be selected again for Britain's Olympic team if he competes in the Enhanced Games.

Proud, who won silver in the men's 50m freestyle at the Paris Olympics in 2024, said financial realities influenced his decision.

Speaking to the BBC before the competition, Proud said there is limited money in elite sport and argued that earning similar amounts through traditional competition could take years.

Proud is aiming to break the world record and secure the $1 million bonus. Even if he wins without setting a new record, he would receive $250,000.

Organisers said they have already awarded $1 million to a swimmer who broke a record during pre-event trials.

Of the 42 athletes scheduled to compete, most are expected to use testosterone, while some may also use human growth hormone and stimulants such as Adderall.

Not every competitor intends to use enhancement.

American swimmer Hunter Armstrong said he plans to compete without doping and hopes to continue pursuing Olympic competition at the Los Angeles Games in 2028. Whether participation could affect future eligibility remains uncertain.

USADA noted that athletes who later meet Olympic anti-doping requirements are not automatically prevented from returning, although World Aquatics has already warned that swimmers involved in the Enhanced Games could face consequences.

Concerns around the competition extend beyond sport.

Earlier this month, Enhanced Group, the company behind the event, began trading on the New York Stock Exchange and has also promoted performance-enhancing medicines and supplements online.

Industry observers have raised concerns that normalising enhancement could contribute to wider health and body-image pressures, particularly at a time when social media increasingly shapes expectations around appearance and performance.

Supporters reject suggestions that the event is aimed at younger audiences and instead describe it as focused on human performance, longevity and entertainment.

As the inaugural edition starts, debate continues over whether the Enhanced Games will remain a niche sporting experiment or signal a broader shift in attitudes towards competition, enhancement and the limits of human performance.