Date of Posting: May 25, 2026, 12:26h.

Last Modified: May 25, 2026, 12:31h.

• Only one world record was achieved at the first Enhanced Games event on Sunday, despite the presence of numerous performance-enhanced athletes.
• Kristian Gkolomeev’s time of 20.81 seconds in the 50m freestyle surpassed the existing world record, but it won’t be acknowledged due to his illegal suit and doping violations.
• Interestingly, three clean athletes—Fred Kerley, Tristan Evelyn, and Hunter Armstrong—triumphed in major competitions, each earning $250,000.

The inaugural Enhanced Games held at Resorts World Las Vegas on the night of May 24 fell short of its ambitions. The five-hour spectacle promised record-breaking performances by chemically augmented athletes, but ended with just one notable achievement.

It wasn’t until the final event that Greek swimmer Kristian Gkolomeev set an unofficial record by completing the men’s 50-meter freestyle in 20.81 seconds. This surpassed the previously recognized world record of 20.88 seconds established by Australian Olympian Cameron McEvoy in March 2024.

However, due to Gkolomeev’s use of a non-compliant performance suit and the openly permissive environment for doping, this record will not be sanctioned by World Aquatics or any other regulatory body.

Prior to this moment, numerous athletes—most of whom were under the influence of performance enhancers—tried and failed to break records in sprinting, swimming, and weightlifting. This included a high-profile attempt by Dominican weightlifter Beatriz Pirón, who aimed to break the women’s snatch world record but did not succeed.

In a surprising twist, several of the day’s most significant victories went to clean competitors. U.S. sprinter Fred Kerley, the 2021 world champion in the 100 meters and silver medalist at the 2024 Olympics, won the men’s 100 meters and took home $250,000 without any enhancements.

Barbados sprinter Tristan Evelyn won the women’s 100 meters in a time of 11.25 seconds, remarking, “This proves that victory requires more than just chemical assistance.”

Moreover, clean U.S. swimmer Hunter Armstrong also claimed $250,000 after his win in the men’s 50-meter backstroke.

Despite the limited achievements regarding new records, Enhanced Games founder and CEO Aron D’Souza celebrated his initiative as a success.

“We have made our mark in mainstream culture,” he announced to an audience filled with fitness influencers and biotech advocates. “We’re here to stay!”

Chasing Rewards Through Doping

D’Souza—who goes by the name Maximilian Martin—conceived the Enhanced Games in 2023 as a $1 million incentive extravaganza, challenging the rigorous restrictions imposed by the International Olympic Committee and the World Anti-Doping Agency.

In D’Souza’s games, every substance prohibited in traditional sports—including testosterone, EPO, anabolic steroids, and human growth hormone—is permitted.

The livestream attracted around 250,000 viewers on the Enhanced Games’ YouTube channel, featuring extensive promotions for supplements and enhancement products.

Even with the disappointing count of records and the success of clean competitors, D’Souza promised the Enhanced Games would return in 2027.

“This is live sports,” he stated. “We anticipated more world records, but this is merely the start.”