The inaugural Enhanced Games, a controversial sports event allowing performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs), will debut on Sunday in Las Vegas. The event, dubbed the 'Doping Olympics,' features 42 athletes competing in swimming, track, and weightlifting. Organizers claim all substances used comply with U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations, though they are banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
The Enhanced Games, backed by investors including Donald Trump Jr. and Peter Thiel, has drawn criticism from anti-doping groups. WADA and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) have condemned the event, while supporters argue it represents a new era of athletic freedom. The event offers a $25 million prize pool, with $1 million bonuses for world record breakers.
Athletes have been using substances such as testosterone, human growth hormones, and stimulants like Adderall. Organizers state that 90.5% of the tested athletes used testosterone or testosterone esters, 79% used human growth hormone, and 62% used stimulants. The event is part of a broader push into the 'enhancement economy,' targeting the growing market for biohacking and longevity products.
Despite regulatory backlash, Enhanced Group, the company behind the event, has seen a 35% stock increase ahead of the games. Critics warn of potential health risks and the normalization of dangerous drug use, while supporters frame the event as a challenge to traditional sporting restrictions.