Enhanced Games Held in Las Vegas With Doping Allowed

The inaugural Enhanced Games took place over the weekend in Las Vegas. Forty-two athletes competed in sprinting, swimming, and weightlifting events that permitted performance-enhancing drugs. Thirty-eight of the 42 athletes chose to use the substances. Organizers provided six-figure salaries plus prize money reaching $250,000 for event winners and $1 million for world records.

Shania Collins, a retired sprinter, spent more than two months on a personalized drug regimen supervised by Enhanced medical staff. She reported side effects including acne and hair growth. Of the 34 doping athletes in a clinical trial, 91 percent used testosterone or testosterone esters, 79 percent used human growth hormone, and 62 percent used stimulants such as Adderall.

EPO was used by 41 percent. Athletes will now enter a five-year observation period. Four athletes competed without performance-enhancing drugs.

Max Martin, chief executive of the games, said the event allows athletes to reach potential otherwise unavailable. Co-founder Christian Angermayer stated that data supports allowing PEDs. The athlete commissions of the International Olympic Committee and the World Anti-Doping Agency said last year that the games send a dangerous message and are irresponsible.

WADA science director last year compared the event to a Roman circus that sacrifices lives for entertainment. Athletes cited financial incentives as the primary reason for participation. Greek swimmer Kristian Gkolomeev earned $1 million last year after setting a world record in a private Enhanced event.