- The inaugural Enhanced Games are set to kick off in Las Vegas on May 24, 2026, permitting the use of performance-enhancing drugs.
- CEO Max Martin believes that the Olympics often regulate “what’s in the shadows.”
- Megan Romano, a two-time world champion swimmer aged 35, is expected to compete and is reportedly faster now, thanks to improved strength training.
So, what’s the deal? The first Enhanced Games will allow athletes to openly use performance-enhancing drugs like steroids and stimulants, as long as they’re FDA approved and overseen by a physician. The events will cover track and field, swimming, and weightlifting, much like traditional Olympic sports.
“We’re taking the unmonitored and unsafe practices happening in the shadows and bringing them into the light,” Martin told a publication. He’s advocating for a more regulated approach.
According to Martin, about half of all athletes confess to using banned substances, yet barely 1% face any arrest. He argues that Olympic drug testing is pretty inconsistent, to say the least.
Reflecting on the past, he mentioned that in the early 2000s, consuming four shots of espresso before a race could’ve gotten you labeled as “doped.” It’s a stark contrast to where things might be headed now.
The hope for the co-founders is to shift public perception—showing that steroids and PEDs might not be the villains we often think they are. They’re planning to gather 50 athletes, mostly in strength categories, to show what can really be done.
“We want to be a platform for showcasing talent,” Martin added, noting that while breaking a world record is an impressive feat, it can be hard for many to relate to. The goal is to demonstrate that using medications for performance enhancement can have positive effects across all ages.
One of the athletes making a comeback is two-time world champion swimmer Megan Romano. At 35, she’s reportedly faster now than during her prime in 2012, thanks to newfound strength.
Christian Angermayer, co-founder and investor, commented that Romano’s improvement is remarkable. It’s promising to see athletes breaking traditional limits.
On another note, both Martin and Angermayer were present when the parent company of the Enhanced Games recently began trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker “ENHA.”
“We aim to be transparent with our operations,” Angermayer stated. It seems like there’s a lot of money in sports, but he feels inadequate amounts are funneled back to the athletes themselves.
In financial terms, the Enhanced Games plan to distribute $25 million to competing athletes, with $250,000 going to each event winner and an additional $1 million for setting a world record in the 100-meter sprint or 50-meter freestyle.
Additionally, those on the enhanced performance team will earn six-figure monthly salaries.
Angermayer casually mentioned that a world record holder reached out to him, humorously wondering if it was too late to join in the competition. “I just need to check my messages, don’t want to miss out on the gold medal,” he joked.
