Enhanced Games: Las Vegas Set to Host Controversial Sport Event Where Athletes Can Use Doping

Las Vegas is about to become the epicenter of a groundbreaking and polarizing sporting event. Next year, during Memorial Day weekend, the city will host the inaugural Enhanced Games, a new sports festival where competitors are permitted to use performance enhancing drugs under strict medical supervision.

The event is pitching itself as a high tech, future forward alternative to the Olympics, aiming to challenge what organizers see as outdated ideals and a failing anti-doping system.

The first edition will feature swimming, track and field, and weightlifting events, all staged within the Resorts World complex on the north end of the Strip.

Backed by investors including 1789 Equity a group partially funded by Donald Trump Jr. the Enhanced Games has secured multi million dollar financial support.

According to founder Aron D’Souza, athletes will have the opportunity to earn up to $500,000 per event, with individual record breakers taking home at least $250,000. In select events, like the 100 meters in track or 50 meters in swimming, setting a new world record could unlock a $1 million bonus.

Among the early sign-ups is Australian swimmer James Magnussen, a two-time Olympic medalist. He’s joined by fellow Olympians Kristian Gkolomeev, Andrii Govorov, and Josif Miladinov all experienced in elite international competition.

Despite following traditional anti doping rules throughout his career, Magnussen says he's drawn to the Enhanced Games because they operate under a different philosophy.

“I’ve always believed in clean sport,” said Magnussen. “But this isn’t about breaking existing rules. It’s about rewriting them, with transparency and a focus on athlete safety.”

Predictably, the initiative has drawn sharp criticism from the International Olympic Committee and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). “If your goal is to destroy fair play in sport, this is how you’d do it,” an IOC spokesperson commented. WADA labeled the concept “dangerous and irresponsible.”

Still, some anti doping veterans argue the current system is so broken that exploring monitored, medically managed enhancement could offer a more honest approach to determining who is truly the best.

Michael Ashenden, a former anti-doping scientist instrumental in developing tests for the banned substance EPO, publicly questioned the effectiveness of WADA's rules ahead of the Tokyo Games. “Maybe stepping outside their framework isn’t so radical after all,” he wrote.

The announcement of the Enhanced Games coincided with a postponed Congressional hearing set to scrutinize WADA’s rocky relationship with U.S. drug enforcement authorities an indication of the growing frustration around global anti doping efforts.

But D’Souza insists the Enhanced Games are not a free for all. Instead, he describes it as a scientifically monitored arena where athletes can push their limits safely.

“This isn’t about nostalgia,” he said. “The Olympics are rooted in an old world amateur ideal. The Enhanced Games are about the future science, innovation, and professionalism.”

Key Details:

• Dates: May 21–24, 2026
• Venue: Resorts World Las Vegas
• Events:
  • Swimming: 50m & 100m freestyle, 50m & 100m butterfly
  • Track: 100m dash, 100m & 110m hurdles
  • Weightlifting: Snatch and clean & jerk

Roughly 200 athletes are expected to compete in this fast-paced event format, designed to hold viewer interest.

Rather than pursue traditional broadcast deals, D’Souza plans to reach fans through social media channels, targeting younger and more digitally native audiences.

Safety First?

Athletes will work with doctors to develop personalized enhancement protocols.

Regular health monitoring is part of the process, and an independent global medical commission oversees athlete safety.

Dan Turner, director of athlete safety, emphasized the importance of tailoring protocols to each athlete’s goals and biology.

“It’s a personalized science-backed approach,” he said.

Cardiologist Guido Pieles, part of the independent safety panel, pointed out how scientific study on enhanced performance has been limited by stigma.

“There’s a lack of high-quality research simply because enhancements have been off-limits in traditional sports,” he said.

Whether you view the Enhanced Games as an ethical line-crossing or a necessary evolution, one thing is certain: they’re here to shake things up.