Enhanced Games FAQ: Your Complete Guide to the World's First Pro-Doping Sports Competition
The Enhanced Games represent one of the most controversial and revolutionary developments in modern sports.
This comprehensive FAQ guide will help you understand everything about this groundbreaking athletic competition that challenges traditional anti-doping rules and aims to push the boundaries of human performance.
Whether you're curious about the concept, concerned about athlete safety, or simply want to know how to watch, this article covers all the essential questions surrounding what organizers call the "Olympics of the future."
General Overview
1. What are the Enhanced Games?
The Enhanced Games is a multi-sport athletic competition that fundamentally differs from traditional sporting events in one key way: athletes are permitted to use performance-enhancing substances without being subject to drug tests. Unlike conventional sports where performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) are banned and heavily policed, the Enhanced Games embraces these substances under medical supervision as a means to explore the limits of human athletic potential.
The concept was designed to challenge what founder Aron D'Souza sees as outdated restrictions in modern sport. Rather than operating in the shadows, the Enhanced Games brings performance enhancement "out of the shadows, with full transparency, safety, and medical oversight". The event positions itself as a scientific exploration of human performance capabilities, arguing that athletes should have the freedom to make their own choices about their bodies while being properly supervised by medical professionals.
The competition has been dubbed the "doping Olympics" by critics, but organizers prefer to frame it as a revolutionary approach to athletic competition that combines cutting-edge science with elite sport. The Enhanced Games represents a stark philosophical departure from traditional Olympic values, instead embracing enhancement as a tool for athletic evolution.
2. Who founded the Enhanced Games, and what is its mission?
The Enhanced Games was founded in 2023 by Aron D'Souza, an Australian entrepreneur and lawyer with a unique background in venture capital and legal battles. D'Souza's vision extends far beyond simply allowing athletes to use performance-enhancing drugs. According to him, the Enhanced Games are "not just a competition - they're a movement" focused on "embracing the full spectrum of human potential".
D'Souza's mission statement is ambitious and philosophical. He describes the project as being "about choice, freedom, and unlocking the next chapter of human potential, not just for athletes, but for everyone". The founder envisions creating what he calls "humanity 2.0," suggesting that the Enhanced Games could serve as a catalyst for broader human enhancement beyond athletics.
The project has attracted significant financial backing from high-profile investors, including PayPal co-founder Peter Thiel and 1789 Capital, a venture capital firm that includes Donald Trump Jr. This backing has provided the Enhanced Games with substantial resources to develop their medical protocols and build the infrastructure needed for their inaugural event. D'Souza's connection to Thiel dates back to 2009 when they met during D'Souza's time studying law at Oxford.
3. When and where will the inaugural Enhanced Games occur?
The inaugural Enhanced Games will take place in Las Vegas over Memorial Day Weekend 2026, specifically from May 21-24, 2026. The event will be hosted at Resorts World Las Vegas, a luxury resort complex located on the famous Las Vegas Strip. This location choice reflects the organizers' desire to create a spectacle that matches the groundbreaking nature of their competition format.
The venue will feature purpose-built facilities designed specifically for the Enhanced Games, including a four-lane 50-meter swimming pool, a six-lane sprint track, and a specialized weightlifting stage. These custom-built facilities are intended to optimize conditions for record-breaking performances while providing an intimate viewing experience that differs from traditional large-scale sporting venues.
Las Vegas was chosen as the host city for several strategic reasons. The city's reputation for entertainment and spectacle aligns with the Enhanced Games' goal of creating a revolutionary viewing experience. Additionally, Nevada's regulatory environment and the city's infrastructure for hosting major events make it an ideal location for launching this controversial new competition format.
4. Which sports are featured in the 2026 program?
The inaugural Enhanced Games will feature three core sports carefully selected to showcase raw human speed and power: swimming, track and field, and weightlifting. These sports were chosen because they represent fundamental measures of human athletic performance and provide clear opportunities for performance enhancement to make dramatic differences in results.
In swimming, the competition will include 50-meter and 100-meter freestyle events, as well as 50-meter and 100-meter butterfly races. These sprint events are designed to highlight pure speed in the water, with the 50-meter freestyle serving as one of the marquee events offering a $1 million bonus for breaking the world record. The swimming events have already generated significant attention, with Greek swimmer Kristian Gkolomeev reportedly breaking the 50-meter freestyle world record with a time of 20.89 seconds during preparation for the Games.
Track and field will feature the 100-meter sprint, considered the premier test of human speed, along with 100-meter and 110-meter hurdles. These events represent the purest forms of athletic competition and provide clear benchmarks for measuring enhanced human performance. The 100-meter sprint, like the 50-meter freestyle, carries a $1 million bonus for world record-breaking performances.
Weightlifting rounds out the program with both snatch and clean & jerk competitions. These events showcase raw human power and strength, areas where performance-enhancing substances can potentially have dramatic effects on athlete capabilities.
5. What is the event format and schedule?
The Enhanced Games will follow a "tightly curated schedule of high-performance events" designed to maximize excitement and record-breaking potential. Unlike traditional multi-sport competitions that might span weeks, the Enhanced Games condenses all competition into just four days, creating an intense, focused athletic spectacle from May 21-24, 2026.
Each individual event will carry substantial prize money, with total prize purses of $500,000 per event and $250,000 awarded to first place finishers. This significant financial incentive, combined with appearance fees for athletes, creates a professional sporting environment that rivals major athletics competitions. The organizers have also implemented record-breaking bonuses, with $1 million prizes available for athletes who break world records in the 100-meter sprint and 50-meter freestyle.
The competition format emphasizes speed and efficiency, with facilities designed accordingly. The four-lane pool and six-lane track mentioned in planning documents suggest a more intimate competitive environment compared to traditional major championships. Every event will be streamed globally using what organizers describe as a "fully immersive digital format designed to transform the way audiences experience sport". This digital-first approach reflects the Enhanced Games' positioning as a modern, technology-forward athletic competition.
Performance Enhancements & Safety
6. What substances are permitted, and which are banned?
The Enhanced Games takes a dramatically different approach to performance-enhancing substances compared to traditional sports. While participants are permitted to use many substances that are banned in elite sport, the competition is not a free-for-all. The organizers have established clear boundaries, with dangerous recreational drugs like cocaine and heroin explicitly banned from use.
The specific list of permitted substances operates under what the Enhanced Games calls the "Performance Enhancement Protocol" - a medically supervised framework that determines which enhancements are considered safe and effective under proper medical guidance. This protocol is designed to distinguish between substances that can enhance performance safely under medical supervision versus those that pose unacceptable health risks regardless of oversight.
Rather than publishing a comprehensive banned substance list like traditional anti-doping agencies, the Enhanced Games focuses on medical approval and supervision. Only substances approved by their medical commission are permitted, and all enhancements must be administered or monitored under proper medical supervision.
This approach emphasizes safety and medical oversight rather than blanket prohibitions, representing a fundamental philosophical shift in how performance enhancement is regulated in competitive sport.
The organization emphasizes that their approach brings performance enhancement "out of the shadows" where athletes might otherwise use substances without proper medical oversight. By creating a regulated environment for performance enhancement, the Enhanced Games aims to eliminate the dangerous practice of unsupervised PED use that exists in underground athletic communities.
7. How does medical supervision work for enhanced athletes?
Medical supervision represents the cornerstone of the Enhanced Games' approach to safe performance enhancement. The organization has established what they describe as a "medically supervised, IRB-approved clinical framework that ensures all enhancements are safe, legal, and scientifically guided". This framework involves continuous monitoring throughout an athlete's preparation and competition phases.
The Enhanced Games employs "two independent commissions, one medical and one scientific, that will help guide athletes to safely and effectively take PEDs". These commissions work together to develop individualized enhancement protocols for each athlete based on their medical profile, sport-specific needs, and safety considerations. The medical commission includes qualified physicians and specialists who can assess the risks and benefits of various enhancement strategies.
Athletes participating in the Enhanced Games receive ongoing medical monitoring that extends beyond simple drug administration. The supervision includes regular health assessments to monitor how an athlete's body responds to enhancement protocols, adjusting dosages and substances as needed to maintain safety while optimizing performance. This level of medical involvement far exceeds what most athletes receive in traditional sporting contexts, even those using legal supplements and training methods.
The organization positions this medical supervision as a key differentiator from illegal PED use in traditional sports, where athletes often use substances without proper medical oversight, dosing guidance, or safety monitoring. According to Dr. Dan Turner, the Director of Athlete Safety and Performance, the goal is to "deliver the safest and fairest sporting event in history by setting the global standard for athlete health assessments"
8. What pre-competition medical screenings are mandated?
The Enhanced Games has implemented what they describe as comprehensive medical profiling to ensure athlete safety and eligibility for competition. These assessments go far beyond typical sports physicals, incorporating advanced medical technologies and extensive testing protocols designed to identify potential health risks before they become dangerous.
The medical profiling includes "heart, brain, and body imaging; blood and urine biomarker sampling; musculoskeletal assessments and movement profiles; mental health and cognitive evaluations; and genomic sequencing". This comprehensive approach allows medical professionals to assess an athlete's baseline health status and identify any predisposing factors that might make certain performance enhancements dangerous for that individual.
Cardiac assessment receives particular attention, with "state-of-the-art cardiac imaging and heart rhythm monitoring" designed to enable "early detection of cardiovascular risk factors associated with sporting demands and misuse of enhancements". Given that many performance-enhancing substances can affect cardiovascular function, this cardiac screening is crucial for preventing serious health complications during competition.
Brain imaging and cognitive function assessments provide additional safety measures, particularly important given the potential neurological effects of some performance-enhancing substances. The genomic sequencing component helps identify whether an athlete may be "predisposed to inherited or environment-specific health risks" that could be exacerbated by performance enhancement protocols. This genetic information allows medical professionals to customize enhancement protocols to each athlete's individual risk profile.
9. Are enhancements optional or required?
Based on the available information, performance enhancements appear to be optional rather than mandatory for Enhanced Games participants. The organization's emphasis on "choice" and "freedom" suggests that athletes can choose whether and how to enhance their performance. However, the practical reality is that athletes competing without enhancements would likely be at a significant disadvantage against enhanced competitors.
The Enhanced Games positions itself as providing athletes with options that are not available in traditional sports. Founder Aron D'Souza has stated that he believes "athletes should be entitled to do what they wish with their own bodies". This philosophy suggests that the choice to enhance or not enhance remains with the individual athlete, though the competitive structure clearly favors those who choose enhancement.
The organization appears to distinguish between athletes who choose to enhance and those who compete naturally, though specific details about how natural athletes might be accommodated or protected in competition are not clearly outlined in the available information. The focus of the Enhanced Games marketing and athlete recruitment appears to be primarily on enhanced performance rather than providing separate categories for natural athletes.
Given that prize money and records bonuses are substantial ($1 million for world records), there would be significant financial incentive for athletes to pursue enhancement protocols. This economic pressure, combined with the competitive advantage that enhancements provide, creates a practical environment where enhancement becomes effectively necessary for serious medal contention, even if not technically required.
10. How are enhancements dispensed—via clinical trials, consultations, or self?
The Enhanced Games operates through a structured medical protocol rather than allowing athletes to self-administer substances. The organization has established what they call "Enhanced Performance Products" - a consumer product line that appears to be part of their broader enhancement ecosystem. However, for competition purposes, all enhancements are administered through their Performance Enhancement Protocol under medical supervision.
The dispensing system appears to operate through medical consultations with the Enhanced Games' medical commission. Athletes work with qualified medical professionals to develop individualized enhancement protocols based on their medical profiles, competitive goals, and safety considerations. This consultation-based approach ensures that each athlete receives substances and dosages appropriate for their specific circumstances and health status.
The organization emphasizes that all enhancements are provided "under medical supervision" rather than through self-administration. This supervised approach is designed to distinguish the Enhanced Games from illegal performance enhancement, where athletes often obtain and use substances without proper medical guidance or safety monitoring. The medical supervision includes ongoing monitoring to assess how athletes respond to their enhancement protocols and make adjustments as needed.
While the Enhanced Games has announced "Enhanced Performance Products" as a consumer line available to the general public, the competition-level enhancement protocols appear to be more specialized and medically intensive. The competition protocols likely involve substances and dosages that require professional medical oversight, while the consumer products may be more accessible supplements designed for general fitness enhancement.
Health & Ethics
11. What measures ensure athlete health and safety?
The Enhanced Games has positioned athlete safety as a central pillar of their operational philosophy, implementing what they claim will be "the safest and fairest sporting event in history". Their safety measures begin with comprehensive pre-competition medical assessments that are far more extensive than those required for traditional sporting events. These assessments include advanced imaging technologies, genetic testing, and detailed physiological profiling to identify potential health risks before they become dangerous.
The organization's medical monitoring extends throughout an athlete's preparation period and competition. Athletes receive ongoing health assessments that track how their bodies respond to enhancement protocols, allowing medical professionals to adjust dosages or discontinue substances if adverse effects are detected. This continuous monitoring represents a significant departure from typical performance enhancement practices, where athletes often use substances without regular medical oversight.
The Enhanced Games employs independent medical and scientific commissions to oversee athlete safety and enhancement protocols. These commissions include qualified medical professionals who specialize in sports medicine and performance enhancement, providing expertise that goes beyond what most athletes receive even in legal training environments. The independence of these commissions is designed to ensure that safety considerations take priority over competitive pressure or organizational interests.
Additionally, the organization has implemented what they describe as an "IRB-approved clinical framework" for their enhancement protocols. IRB approval (Institutional Review Board) is a standard requirement for human research studies, suggesting that the Enhanced Games is treating athlete participation as a form of clinical research subject to ethical oversight and safety standards comparable to medical research.
12. What are the short- and long-term health risks of PED use?
While the Enhanced Games emphasizes safety and medical supervision, the use of performance-enhancing drugs inherently carries both short-term and long-term health risks that cannot be completely eliminated through supervision alone. The organization's medical protocols are designed to minimize these risks, but they cannot eliminate them entirely. Short-term risks can include cardiovascular complications, hormonal imbalances, liver stress, and psychological effects depending on the specific substances used.
Long-term health consequences of performance-enhancing drug use can be severe and may not become apparent until years or decades after use. These can include increased risk of cardiovascular disease, liver damage, hormonal system disruption, and potential increased cancer risk with certain substances. The Enhanced Games' genomic sequencing and comprehensive medical profiling are designed to identify athletes who may be at higher risk for these long-term complications.
The organization's approach to managing these risks involves extensive medical monitoring and individualized protocols designed to minimize dangerous exposures while maximizing performance benefits. However, critics argue that the long-term effects of many performance-enhancing substances are not fully understood, making it impossible to guarantee long-term safety even with medical supervision. The Enhanced Games counters this by arguing that their supervised approach is safer than the unsupervised PED use that already occurs in underground athletic communities.
The psychological and social aspects of PED use also present risks that extend beyond physical health. Athletes may develop dependency on enhancement substances or experience psychological pressure to continually increase enhancement levels to remain competitive. The Enhanced Games' medical framework includes "mental health and cognitive evaluations" as part of their assessment protocol, suggesting recognition of these psychological dimensions
13. How ethical concerns and athlete rights addressed?
The Enhanced Games faces significant ethical criticism from traditional sports authorities and medical professionals who argue that the concept fundamentally undermines fair play and athlete welfare. UK Anti-Doping has stated that "there is no place in sport for performance-enhancing drugs, nor the Enhanced Games". World Athletics president Lord Coe has described participation as "moronic" and warned that competitors would face lengthy bans from traditional competition.
The organization addresses these ethical concerns by framing their approach in terms of athlete autonomy and freedom of choice. Founder Aron D'Souza argues that the Enhanced Games is "about choice, it's about freedom, and it's about unlocking the next chapter of human potential". This philosophical position holds that athletes should have the right to make informed decisions about their own bodies, including the use of performance-enhancing substances under proper medical supervision.
The Enhanced Games attempts to address fairness concerns through their extensive medical monitoring and standardized enhancement protocols. By bringing performance enhancement "out of the shadows" and into a regulated, medically supervised environment, they argue that their approach is more ethical than the current system where some athletes use PEDs illegally without oversight while others compete naturally. This transparency, they contend, creates a more level playing field than the current system where enhancement use is hidden and unregulated.
However, critics argue that the Enhanced Games creates pressure for athletes to compromise their health for competitive success and prize money. The substantial financial incentives ($1 million for world records) may pressure athletes to accept health risks they might otherwise avoid. The organization's response is that their medical oversight and safety protocols are designed to minimize these risks while respecting athlete autonomy to make informed decisions about enhancement use.
14. What independent oversight is in place (ethics/science commissions)?
The Enhanced Games has established two independent commissions to provide oversight for their competition: a medical commission and a scientific commission. These bodies are designed to ensure that athlete safety and scientific validity take priority over competitive or commercial interests. The independence of these commissions is crucial for maintaining credibility and ensuring that safety decisions are made based on medical evidence rather than organizational pressure.
The medical commission appears to be responsible for assessing athlete eligibility, developing safety protocols, and monitoring athlete health throughout their participation in the Enhanced Games. This commission includes qualified medical professionals with expertise in sports medicine and performance enhancement. Their role extends beyond simple approval or disapproval of substances to include ongoing monitoring and adjustment of enhancement protocols based on individual athlete responses.
The scientific commission likely focuses on the research and development aspects of the Enhanced Games' enhancement protocols. This body would be responsible for evaluating the scientific evidence supporting various enhancement strategies and ensuring that the protocols used are based on legitimate scientific research rather than speculation or commercial interests. The scientific commission may also be involved in analyzing performance data and health outcomes to improve future enhancement protocols.
Both commissions operate under what the Enhanced Games describes as an "IRB-approved clinical framework". IRB approval means that the Enhanced Games' protocols have been reviewed by an Institutional Review Board, which is a standard requirement for human research studies. This suggests that the Enhanced Games is treating athlete participation as a form of clinical research subject to ethical oversight standards comparable to medical research, providing an additional layer of protection for athlete welfare.
Records & Illegal Use
15. Do world records set here count as official?
Records set at the Enhanced Games will not be recognized by traditional sporting bodies such as World Aquatics, World Athletics, or other international federations that govern Olympic sports. When Greek swimmer Kristian Gkolomeev reportedly broke the 50-meter freestyle world record with a time of 20.89 seconds, this performance will not be recognized by World Aquatics as an official world record. Traditional sporting organizations maintain strict anti-doping policies that automatically disqualify performances achieved with the assistance of banned substances.
The Enhanced Games is creating its own record-keeping system separate from traditional sporting records. These "Enhanced Records" represent the fastest times and best performances achieved under their specific protocols and conditions. While these records will not be officially recognized by traditional sporting bodies, the Enhanced Games argues that they represent the true limits of human performance when enhancement is permitted and properly supervised.
The organization positions these enhanced records as more meaningful than traditional records because they represent what humans can actually achieve when not artificially constrained by anti-doping rules. From their perspective, traditional world records represent only a subset of human potential - what can be achieved without enhancement - while Enhanced Games records show the full scope of human athletic capability. This philosophical difference reflects the fundamental divide between the Enhanced Games and traditional sport.
The lack of official recognition has not deterred the Enhanced Games from offering substantial financial rewards for record-breaking performances. Athletes who break world records in the 100-meter sprint and 50-meter freestyle can earn $1 million bonuses, even though these records will not be officially recognized by traditional sporting bodies. This creates a parallel system of athletic achievement with its own incentives and recognition structure.
16. What prize money and incentives are on offer?
The Enhanced Games offers substantial financial incentives designed to attract elite athletes and compensate for the career risks associated with participation. Each individual event carries a total prize purse of $500,000, with $250,000 awarded to first place finishers. This prize structure is competitive with major athletics competitions and reflects the organization's well-funded status through high-profile investors.
Beyond standard prize money, the Enhanced Games offers significant performance bonuses that far exceed typical athletic competition rewards. Athletes who break world records in the marquee events - the 100-meter sprint and 50-meter freestyle - can earn $1 million bonuses. These record bonuses represent some of the largest single-event prizes in athletics, creating powerful financial incentives for athletes to pursue maximum enhancement protocols.
The organization also provides appearance fees for participating athletes, ensuring that competitors receive compensation regardless of their competitive results. This appearance fee structure helps offset the financial risks that athletes take by participating in the Enhanced Games, particularly given that participation may result in bans from traditional competition that could affect their earning potential in conventional athletics.
Kristian Gkolomeev has already received the first $1 million payout for his world record-breaking 50-meter freestyle performance, demonstrating that the Enhanced Games follows through on its financial commitments. This early payout serves as proof of concept for other athletes considering participation and establishes the credibility of the organization's financial incentive structure.
17. How are bonuses structured for record-breaking performances?
The Enhanced Games has structured its bonus system to incentivize breakthrough performances that push the boundaries of human athletic achievement. The $1 million bonuses for world records in the 100-meter sprint and 50-meter freestyle are specifically designed to reward performances in what the organization considers the two premier tests of human speed. These events were chosen because they represent fundamental measures of athletic performance that capture public attention and demonstrate the impact of enhancement protocols.
The bonus structure appears to be binary - athletes either break the world record and receive the full $1 million bonus, or they do not receive the bonus at all. This all-or-nothing approach creates maximum incentive for athletes to pursue aggressive enhancement protocols and training regimens designed to achieve record-breaking performances rather than simply winning their events.
The Enhanced Games has demonstrated its commitment to paying these bonuses by awarding Kristian Gkolomeev $1 million for his 50-meter freestyle world record, even though this record was achieved during preparation for the competition rather than during the official Games. This early payout establishes precedent and credibility for the bonus system, showing athletes that the organization will honor its financial commitments.
While specific details about bonuses for other events are not clearly outlined in available information, the organization's focus on the 100-meter sprint and 50-meter freestyle suggests that these events receive premium treatment due to their status as pure speed competitions. The Enhanced Games may expand bonus offerings to additional events as the competition develops, but initially appears to be concentrating financial incentives on the events most likely to generate public interest and demonstrate dramatic performance improvements.
18. What happens if an athlete uses illegal or unsafe enhancements?
The Enhanced Games maintains strict protocols for ensuring that athletes only use approved substances under proper medical supervision, despite their permissive approach to many traditionally banned substances. Athletes who use substances outside of the approved Enhancement Protocol or without proper medical oversight would face consequences, though specific enforcement details are not comprehensively outlined in available information.
The organization's medical commission and scientific commission appear to be responsible for monitoring athlete compliance with approved enhancement protocols. This monitoring includes regular health assessments and testing to ensure that athletes are following their prescribed enhancement regimens rather than supplementing with additional unauthorized substances. The extensive medical monitoring serves both safety and compliance functions.
Given that the Enhanced Games operates under an "IRB-approved clinical framework," athletes who deviate from approved protocols could potentially compromise not only their own safety but also the entire research framework under which the competition operates. This clinical research context suggests that protocol violations could have serious consequences beyond simple disqualification from competition.
The organization's emphasis on safety and medical supervision suggests that athletes using unsafe or unauthorized enhancements would face immediate medical intervention and potential removal from competition for health reasons. The extensive pre-competition and ongoing medical monitoring is designed to identify potential problems before they become dangerous, but athletes who circumvent these safety measures could face both immediate health consequences and exclusion from the Enhanced Games program.
Medical & Regulatory Aspects
19. Which regulatory bodies are involved (e.g., FDA)?
The Enhanced Games operates in a complex regulatory environment that involves multiple jurisdictions and regulatory frameworks. While specific details about FDA involvement are not extensively detailed in available sources, the organization's emphasis on "IRB-approved clinical framework" suggests engagement with standard medical research regulatory processes. IRB approval typically requires coordination with relevant regulatory bodies to ensure compliance with human research standards.
The international nature of the Enhanced Games, with athletes from multiple countries and competition taking place in Las Vegas, creates additional regulatory complexity. Different countries have varying laws regarding performance-enhancing substances, and the organization must navigate these jurisdictional differences while ensuring that their protocols comply with applicable regulations in all relevant territories.
The Enhanced Games' approach of treating athlete participation as clinical research under IRB oversight suggests that they are operating within established medical research frameworks rather than attempting to circumvent regulatory oversight entirely. This research framework provides a pathway for legal use of substances that might otherwise be prohibited, as medical research often has different regulatory standards than commercial or recreational use.
The organization's emphasis on medical supervision and safety protocols aligns with regulatory approaches that prioritize harm reduction and medical oversight rather than prohibition. By operating within clinical research frameworks and under medical supervision, the Enhanced Games appears to be seeking legitimacy within existing regulatory structures rather than operating in legal gray areas.
20. Are substances FDA-approved?
The Enhanced Games does not provide comprehensive details about the FDA approval status of substances used in their enhancement protocols. However, their emphasis on medical supervision and IRB-approved clinical frameworks suggests that they are using substances within established medical and research parameters rather than experimental or unregulated compounds.
Many performance-enhancing substances are actually FDA-approved medications when used for legitimate medical purposes. Testosterone, growth hormone, and various other substances commonly associated with performance enhancement have approved medical uses for treating legitimate health conditions. The Enhanced Games' medical commission likely focuses on substances that have established safety profiles and known effects when used under proper medical supervision.
The distinction between FDA approval for medical use versus performance enhancement use is crucial. A substance may be FDA-approved for treating specific medical conditions but not specifically approved for athletic performance enhancement. The Enhanced Games appears to be operating under medical supervision frameworks that allow for off-label use of approved substances, which is a common and legal practice in medicine when conducted under appropriate oversight.
The organization's clinical research framework may also allow for the use of substances under investigational protocols, which could include compounds that are not yet FDA-approved but are being studied under proper research oversight. This research context provides additional regulatory pathways for substance use beyond standard FDA approval for commercial applications.
21. How does FDA involvement intersect with event protocols?
The intersection between FDA oversight and Enhanced Games protocols likely occurs primarily through the organization's clinical research framework and medical supervision requirements. When performance-enhancing substances are used under proper medical supervision and within IRB-approved research protocols, this creates a regulatory pathway that aligns with FDA oversight mechanisms for human research studies.
The Enhanced Games' emphasis on medical supervision and safety monitoring aligns with FDA expectations for responsible use of performance-enhancing substances in research contexts. The extensive medical profiling, ongoing health monitoring, and safety protocols described by the organization appear designed to meet or exceed standard safety requirements for human research involving performance-enhancing substances.
The organization's approach of bringing performance enhancement "out of the shadows" and into a medically supervised environment may actually align with FDA preferences for regulated, monitored use rather than underground, unsupervised consumption. By operating within established medical and research frameworks, the Enhanced Games creates a controlled environment where substance use can be monitored for both safety and efficacy.
The international nature of the Enhanced Games creates additional complexity in FDA oversight, as the organization must navigate regulatory requirements across multiple jurisdictions while maintaining compliance with US regulations for activities occurring within US borders. The Las Vegas venue location ensures that competition activities fall under US regulatory jurisdiction, requiring compliance with relevant FDA and other federal oversight mechanisms.
Participation & Eligibility
22. Who can compete—gender, nationality, natural vs. enhanced?
The Enhanced Games appears to be open to athletes regardless of nationality, with participants already including athletes from multiple countries such as Greek swimmer Kristian Gkolomeev and Australian James Magnussen. This international approach aligns with the organization's goal of attracting elite athletes from around the world and positioning the Enhanced Games as a global competition comparable to the Olympics.
Gender eligibility details are not extensively outlined in available information, but the inclusion of both men's and women's events (100m and 110m hurdles suggests gender-specific competitions) indicates that the Enhanced Games accommodates athletes of all genders. The organization's emphasis on pushing human performance boundaries suggests they are likely inclusive in their approach to gender eligibility, though specific policies are not detailed in current sources.
The Enhanced Games appears primarily designed for athletes choosing to use performance enhancements rather than natural athletes, though the organization's emphasis on "choice" suggests that natural athletes might be permitted to compete. However, the practical reality is that natural athletes would be at a severe disadvantage against enhanced competitors, making the competition de facto limited to athletes willing to use performance-enhancing protocols.
Eligibility appears to be based more on athletic ability and willingness to participate in enhancement protocols than on traditional qualifying standards. The organization seems focused on attracting elite athletes who can demonstrate the potential for record-breaking performances under their enhancement protocols rather than implementing broad participation standards that might include recreational or amateur athletes.
23. Are natural athletes allowed and how are they protected?
While the Enhanced Games emphasizes athlete choice and freedom, the practical protection of natural athletes competing against enhanced athletes presents significant challenges. The organization has not outlined specific divisions or categories for natural athletes, suggesting that competition occurs in mixed fields where enhanced and natural athletes compete directly against each other.
The Enhanced Games' competitive structure appears to assume that most serious competitors will choose to use enhancement protocols to remain competitive. With prize money of $250,000 for first place and $1 million bonuses for world records, natural athletes would face not only competitive disadvantages but also significant financial disadvantages by choosing not to enhance.
The organization's medical monitoring and safety protocols apply to all athletes, regardless of enhancement status. Natural athletes would receive the same comprehensive medical assessments and ongoing health monitoring as enhanced athletes, providing some protection in terms of health and safety oversight. However, these medical protections do not address the competitive disadvantages that natural athletes would face.
The philosophical framework of the Enhanced Games, which emphasizes pushing human performance boundaries through enhancement, suggests that natural athletes are not the primary target audience for the competition. While they may be technically allowed to compete, the entire structure of the competition is designed around enhancement protocols, making meaningful participation challenging for athletes choosing to remain natural.
24. What are athletes' eligibility and recruitment criteria?
The Enhanced Games appears to focus on recruiting elite athletes with established track records rather than implementing broad eligibility criteria. Current confirmed participants include Olympic medalists like James Magnussen, who won silver at the 2012 London Olympics, and Kristian Gkolomeev, who finished fifth in the 50m freestyle at the 2024 Olympics. This suggests that the organization prioritizes proven elite performance capabilities.
Recruitment appears to involve direct outreach to athletes who might be interested in the Enhanced Games' approach and financial incentives. James Magnussen was "the first well-known athlete to declare his intention to be involved" after announcing his plan to "juice to the gills" in pursuit of the $1 million prize. This suggests that recruitment involves athletes making public commitments to participation and enhancement protocols.
The organization's medical assessment requirements create additional eligibility criteria beyond athletic performance. Athletes must pass comprehensive medical screenings including cardiac imaging, genetic testing, and psychological evaluations to ensure they can safely participate in enhancement protocols. These medical requirements may exclude some athletes who would otherwise be competitive but have health conditions that make enhancement protocols dangerous.
Financial incentives play a significant role in recruitment, with substantial prize money and appearance fees designed to offset the career risks associated with Enhanced Games participation. Athletes who participate may face bans from traditional competition, making the Enhanced Games' financial compensation crucial for attracting elite talent willing to sacrifice traditional career opportunities.
25. Can competing bar athletes from other events like the Olympics?
Participation in the Enhanced Games creates significant risks for athletes' eligibility in traditional sporting competitions. World Athletics president Lord Coe has explicitly stated that any athlete competing in the Enhanced Games would face "a lengthy ban" from traditional athletics competition. This represents a direct threat to athletes' Olympic and World Championship eligibility.
The threat of bans extends beyond just athletics to potentially include swimming and other sports, as international federations generally maintain strict anti-doping policies that would be incompatible with Enhanced Games participation. Athletes like James Magnussen and Kristian Gkolomeev are essentially choosing to end their traditional competitive careers by participating in the Enhanced Games, trading established competition pathways for the Enhanced Games' financial incentives.
The Enhanced Games creates a parallel competitive pathway that is fundamentally incompatible with traditional sport due to conflicting approaches to performance enhancement. Athletes must essentially choose between the traditional Olympic pathway with its anti-doping requirements and the Enhanced Games pathway with its enhancement protocols. This choice is likely permanent, as the use of performance-enhancing substances would create lasting eligibility issues even if athletes later chose to discontinue enhancement.
The organization's substantial financial incentives are designed partly to compensate athletes for the career sacrifices required by Enhanced Games participation. With appearance fees, prize money up to $250,000, and $1 million record bonuses, the Enhanced Games provides immediate financial compensation that may exceed what athletes could earn through traditional competition over several years. This financial structure acknowledges the career-ending nature of Enhanced Games participation for traditional sport.
Public Reception & Controversy
26. How have sports authorities reacted to the Enhanced Games?
Sports authorities have reacted to the Enhanced Games with overwhelming opposition and condemnation. World Athletics president Lord Coe has been particularly vocal in his criticism, describing the concept as "bollocks" and warning that any athlete participating would face "a lengthy ban" from traditional athletics competition. This strong reaction reflects the fundamental conflict between the Enhanced Games' philosophy and traditional sporting values.
UK Anti-Doping has taken an official stance against the Enhanced Games, stating that "there is no place in sport for performance-enhancing drugs, nor the Enhanced Games". This position from one of the world's leading anti-doping organizations reflects the broader institutional opposition to the Enhanced Games' approach. Anti-doping agencies view the Enhanced Games as undermining decades of work to eliminate performance-enhancing drugs from sport.
The opposition extends beyond individual statements to potential policy actions. Sports authorities have the power to implement bans and sanctions against athletes who participate in the Enhanced Games, effectively forcing athletes to choose between traditional sporting pathways and Enhanced Games participation. This institutional opposition creates significant barriers for athlete recruitment and participation.
International sporting federations governing swimming, athletics, and weightlifting have generally aligned with anti-doping organizations in opposing the Enhanced Games concept. These bodies maintain that performance-enhancing drug use is fundamentally incompatible with fair play and athlete safety, regardless of medical supervision. The unified opposition from traditional sporting authorities reflects deep philosophical differences about the role of enhancement in athletic competition.
27. Who are the event's backers and critics?
The Enhanced Games has attracted high-profile financial backing from technology and venture capital investors, most notably PayPal co-founder Peter Thiel and 1789 Capital, a venture capital firm that includes Donald Trump Jr. This backing has provided the Enhanced Games with substantial financial resources to develop their medical protocols, build competition facilities, and offer attractive prize money to athletes.
Aron D'Souza's connection to Peter Thiel dates back to 2009 when they met during D'Souza's time studying law at Oxford. This relationship has been crucial for the Enhanced Games' development, providing not only financial backing but also connections to other investors and the credibility that comes with Thiel's involvement in successful technology ventures.
Critics of the Enhanced Games span across traditional sporting organizations, medical professionals, and government officials. The Biden White House expressed "deep concern" about the project, reflecting government-level opposition to the concept. This political opposition adds another layer of institutional resistance beyond sporting organizations.
Medical and ethical critics argue that the Enhanced Games promotes dangerous substance use and undermines athlete welfare, regardless of medical supervision claims. These critics contend that the financial incentives create pressure for athletes to accept health risks they might otherwise avoid, and that no amount of medical supervision can eliminate the inherent dangers of performance-enhancing drug use at the levels required for record-breaking performances.
28. What is the stance of mainstream sponsors and broadcasters?
Information about mainstream sponsor and broadcaster involvement with the Enhanced Games is limited in available sources, though the organization has emphasized their intention to stream events globally using a "fully immersive digital format". The controversial nature of the Enhanced Games concept likely creates challenges for attracting traditional sporting sponsors who may be concerned about association with performance-enhancing drug use.
The Enhanced Games appears to be pursuing a digital-first broadcasting approach rather than relying on traditional television networks, which may reflect both strategic choice and practical necessity given the controversial nature of the content. Traditional sports broadcasters may be reluctant to carry programming that explicitly features performance-enhancing drug use, even under medical supervision.
The organization's well-funded status through venture capital backing may reduce their dependence on traditional sporting sponsors and broadcasters. With substantial financial backing from investors like Peter Thiel, the Enhanced Games can potentially fund operations and prize money without requiring the sponsorship revenue that traditional sporting events depend upon.
The lack of detailed information about mainstream sponsor and broadcaster partnerships suggests that the Enhanced Games may be operating outside traditional sporting commercial relationships. This independence allows them to pursue their controversial concept without external pressure from sponsors concerned about brand association, but also limits their reach and mainstream acceptance.
29. How does this differ from Olympic/World Championship events?
The Enhanced Games differs fundamentally from Olympic and World Championship events in its approach to performance enhancement, representing a complete philosophical reversal of traditional sporting values. While Olympic and World Championship events are built around anti-doping principles and the concept of "clean" sport, the Enhanced Games explicitly embraces performance-enhancing substances as tools for pushing human performance boundaries.
The competitive structure also differs significantly from traditional major sporting events. Rather than the weeks-long festivals typical of Olympics or World Championships, the Enhanced Games condenses competition into just four days with a limited number of events focused on pure speed and power6. This concentrated format prioritizes spectacle and record-breaking over the broader athletic celebration typical of traditional major sporting events.
Prize money and athlete compensation represent another major difference. Olympic athletes receive minimal direct compensation for their performances, while the Enhanced Games offers substantial prize money ($250,000 for first place) and record bonuses ($1 million for world records). This professional approach contrasts with the Olympic tradition of amateurism and emphasizes immediate financial rewards over long-term sporting legacy.
The Enhanced Games' medical monitoring and safety protocols are actually more extensive than those required for Olympic competition, including genetic testing, advanced cardiac imaging, and ongoing health assessments4. While traditional sporting events focus on detecting prohibited substance use, the Enhanced Games focuses on monitoring the safety of permitted substance use under medical supervision.
30. How can the public watch or attend the event?
The Enhanced Games will be held at Resorts World Las Vegas from May 21-24, 2026, providing opportunities for in-person attendance at the purpose-built competition facilities16. The venue will feature custom-designed facilities including a four-lane 50-meter pool, six-lane sprint track, and specialized weightlifting stage, creating an intimate viewing experience different from traditional large-scale sporting venues.
For global audiences, the Enhanced Games plans to stream every event using what they describe as a "fully immersive digital format designed to transform the way audiences experience sport". This digital-first approach suggests that online viewing will be the primary way most audiences experience the Enhanced Games, potentially featuring enhanced camera angles, real-time performance data, and other technological innovations.
The organization has already demonstrated their digital content approach by releasing a documentary about Kristian Gkolomeev's world record-breaking performance, which is "streaming on YouTube, X, and enhanced.com". This multi-platform approach suggests that the Enhanced Games will utilize various digital channels to reach audiences rather than relying on traditional television broadcasting.
The Enhanced Games' emphasis on creating a "fully immersive digital format" suggests that the viewing experience will be designed to highlight the technological and scientific aspects of performance enhancement, potentially including real-time biometric data, enhancement protocol information, and other content that traditional sporting broadcasts would not include. This approach aligns with their positioning as a technology-forward sporting innovation rather than a traditional athletic competition.
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