Enhanced Games' juiced athletes fizzle, break few records in Las Vegas
Los Angeles Times
Last updated: May 26, 2026
The Enhanced Games in Las Vegas allowed performance-enhancing drugs, attracting athletes seeking lucrative bonuses. Fred Kerley won the men's 100 meters, but his time was slower than previous Olympic performances and far from Usain Bolt's world record. Kristian Gkolomeev secured a $1 million bonus for breaking the 50-meter freestyle world record in swimming, though this record is not officially recognized.
- Key Facts: Fred Kerley won the men's 100-meter final at the Enhanced Games in 9.97 seconds, a time slower than his Olympic bronze medal performance.
- The race experienced multiple delays due to false starts and untied shoes, impacting the sprinters' performance.
- Kristian Gkolomeev won a $1 million bonus for swimming the 50-meter freestyle in 20.81 seconds, surpassing the official world record of 20.88 seconds.
- Records set at the Enhanced Games are not officially recognized by mainstream sports bodies because performance-enhancing drugs are permitted.
- Athletes at the Enhanced Games receive substantial prize money, with first place in each event earning $250,000.
- The Enhanced Games are positioned as a precursor to an online pharmacy selling performance enhancers under medical supervision.
- Ticket sales were restricted to a curated audience, not the general public.
- Despite the use of performance enhancers, the women's sprint winner Tristan Evelyn's time was significantly slower than the existing world record.
- The event attracted major investment, including from figures like Peter Thiel, and is now a publicly traded company.
