Enhanced Games Chief: Las Vegas Debut Could Change Doping Perceptions

The launch of the Enhanced Games is intended to shift how fans and officials view performance-enhancing drugs, says the company's new chief executive.

The league invites athletes to compete using banned substances under medical supervision, offering substantial prize money and global visibility.

Critics, including anti-doping bodies, warn that allowing such substances could threaten athletes' health and erode the integrity of sport.

Event details and leadership

The first edition will feature swimming, sprinting, and weightlifting, scheduled for May 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States.

Maximilian Martin, a 29-year-old former investment banker who now runs the venture, leads the operation. He argues the launch will prompt a rethink among fans and institutions, noting that there have been no dramatic incidents during demonstrations thus far.

He adds that the long-term plan could see other leagues adopting a health-focused approach to competition rather than a punitive testing regime.

Health measures and debate

Enhanced Games says athletes will be overseen by doctors and undergo regular health screenings for up to five years after competing to minimize risks associated with banned substances. However, independent researchers have questioned these assurances, pointing to gaps in long-term data on common performance enhancers and potential risks such as heart problems, cardiovascular damage, reproductive issues, and mental health challenges.

Participants, venues, and expansion

So far, 21 athletes have signed up, including British swimmer Ben Proud and American sprinter Fred Kerley; organizers expect to reach around 35 by January and about 50 in total for the Las Vegas event. A base in Abu Dhabi will host training sessions while athletes follow substance-regimen plans.

World Aquatics, the global governing body, previously imposed a blanket ban on anyone involved with Enhanced Games from taking part in its events. A recent $800 million lawsuit aimed at challenging the ban was dismissed in New York.

Following leadership changes, Martin remains confident the Games will grow and deliver a high-standard sporting event.

Future plans include a biannual winter edition and potential time-trial attempts to challenge world records, plus expansion into triathlon to stage a doped athlete in an Ironman-distance event.

The project relies on showcasing supervised medication and supplement programs to boost support in the United States, with products expected to be marketed by February. Initially, broadcasts will be free on YouTube, and tickets will be limited to a giveaway allocation for a temporary Las Vegas arena with a four-lane pool and a 100-meter sprint lane.

Martin emphasizes that not everyone must love the project; he believes the Olympic system has its place, praising Paris's Games as an exceptional example of global sport bringing people together.

He notes that the venture is pursuing a distinct path with its own goals and methods.

Expert opinion

Expert opinion: A sports medicine specialist says long-term health risks linked to performance-enhancing substances are not fully understood, even with oversight. They urge careful monitoring and transparent data before any broader adoption.

Summary

The Enhanced Games are launching in Las Vegas with a provocative premise: to permit banned substances under medical supervision. Supporters point to potential shifts in how doping is managed and regulated, while critics warn of health risks and complex legal battles. The outcome of the May 2026 event, and the credibility of its safety claims, will influence future discussions on doping in sport.

Key takeaway: The Las Vegas launch could reshape how doping is viewed in sport, but ongoing health, legal, and governance concerns will shape its reception. BBC Sport coverage

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