“Enhanced Games”
Dopped athletes compete in this competition
05/22/2025 – 12:05 p.m.Reading time: 1 min.
The “Enhanced Games” are controversial and are sharply criticized. Nevertheless, the first venue has now been determined.
A different kind of sporting event is imminent in the USA in the coming year: for the first time, athletes are to compete in a competition, in which performance -enhancing funds are not only allowed, but are also part of the concept. The so-called “Enhanced Games” celebrate their premiere on the Memorial Day weekend in Las Vegas in 2026.
The venue is the site of the hotel and casino complex “Resort World”. The organizers want to build swimming pools and running routes there. The program includes swimming competitions over 50 and 100 meters freestyle as well as butterfly, sprint duels over 100 meters and hurdles over 100 or 110 meters. Weightlowing in three categories is also planned.
The initiators advertise with high premiums: $ 250,000 are awarded for first place, and a world record is even to be rewarded with $ 1 million.
There has been criticism of the controversial project for months. The world-anti-doping agency described the concept as “dangerous and irresponsible”. The International Olympic Committee also commented and said: “The idea of the ‘Enhanced Games’ does not deserve a comment. If you want to destroy the concept of FairPlay (…) in sports, that’s a good way.”