There has been a raft of so-called “disruptor” competitions – backed by private equity – entering the sports and entertainment market in recent years. However, I am not sure that any have been as controversial, polarising and daring as The Enhanced Games (“TEG”), where the use of performance-enhancing drugs (“PEDs”) will be permitted.

The organisers of TEG have recently announced the inaugural competition will take place in Las Vegas in May 2026. It has been marketed as bold stand for scientific freedom and personal choice – one that challenges the status quo and embraces “superhumanity” through pharmaceutical and technological innovation. Needless to say, it has attracted intense criticism from much of the sporting establishment, with the IOC describing TEG as “a joke, unfair and unsafe”.[1]

The prevailing view on TEG seems to be one of overwhelming concern, rather than seeing it as a visionary breakthrough. Nevertheless, it has undeniably forced a broader conversation about the limits of human potential and the costs of surpassing them. In this article, I will examine the perspectives on both sides of the fence, as well as the potential legal issues that may arise.

What are The Enhanced Games?

Founded by tech entrepreneur Aron D’Souza, the first edition of TEG will be held on the Las Vegas strip from 21-24 May 2026, with approximately 100 athletes set to compete across sprinting, swimming and weightlifting disciplines. Prize-money will be substantial: up to $500,000 USD per event, including a $1m USD bonus for breaking the 100m sprint and 50m freestyle world records – considered to be the two definitive tests of raw speed.[2]

Unsurprisingly, given that competitors will not be subject to anti-doping rules, TEG is not affiliated to, or sanctioned by, the IOC and/or recognised international federations (“IFs”). TEG is privately funded – it has received early-stage investment from the likes of billionaire entrepreneur Peter Thiel and, more recently, from venture capital fund 1789 Capital (which is run by Omeed Malik, Chris Buskirk, and Donald Trump Jr., son of the US President).[3] TEG’s website emphasises its autarky in its marketing materials, stating that “unlike other international sporting events, we don’t rely on taxpayer funding to host our Games.”

The competitors will be formally announced in the lead-up to the competition, but four swimmers have already been confirmed: Australian James Magnussen (Olympic medallist in London 2012 and Rio 2016), Bulgarian Josif Miladinov (European silver medallist), Ukrainian Andriy Govorov (50m Butterly world record holder) and Greek Kristian Gkolomeev (see below).[4]

On 21 May 2025, the same day that TEG was formally launched, it was announced that Gkolomeev had swam 20.89 in the men’s 50m freestyle during a private TEG-sponsored event in February 2025. This was 0.02 seconds faster than the official men’s 50m free-style world record set by Brazilian Cesar Cielo in 2009. Gkolomeev, who finished fifth at the 2024 Paris Olympics with a time of 21.59, had purportedly taken PEDs for two weeks in the lead-up to the event, and also wore a Jaked bodyskin suit (which World Aquatics banned from competition in 2010, a year after Cielo’s world record was set). Moreover, although the inaugural competition does not take place until next year, the organisers reportedly paid Gkolomeev $1m USD for breaking the record.

An avalanche of criticism

Ever since the concept of TEG was first proposed by D’Souza in 2023, it has attracted robust opposition from much of the mainstream sporting community. The general tenor of the criticism is that the apparent glorification of enhanced performance flies in the face of fairness, health and the essence of true competition.

An event like this would be devoid of any fair play or sportsmanship. Moreover, it represents a potentially catastrophic risk to the health of its participants as athletes and their collaborators will inevitably try to push beyond healthy limits.

Joint statement by the International Fair Play Committee, WADA and the IOC, May 2024

Unsurprisingly, anti-doping authorities have been particularly vociferous in their condemnation, with WADA describing TEG as “a dangerous and irresponsible project”[5] and WADA’s Athlete Council saying it “ignores decades of medical evidence and the lived experiences of athletes harmed by doping.”[6] The notion of risking athletes’ health for the sake of the spectacle has drawn analogies with the Colosseum of Ancient Rome. WADA’s Science Director Olivier Rabin has described TEG as a “Roman circus… sacrificing the lives of people purely for entertainment”[7], whilst CHINADA has accused organisers of feeding the public appetite for a “Gladiator show”.[8]

In a recent paper by scientists at the University of Birmingham, the effects of PED use are described as “unpredictable, potentially life-changing, or even fatal”. [9] The authors also point to studies showing “evidence of a range of psychiatric conditions including depression, anxiety and mania that appear to be significantly more prevalent amongst steroid users than the general population”.

Another criticism labelled against TEG is that it undermines the values of fair competition and natural talent. WADA’s President Witold Banka believes it “erodes the very ethos of sport”[10], whilst Travis Tygart, CEO of USADA, was even more blunt, describing it as a “clown show, not real sport”.[11] Concerns have equally been raised as to ethical precedent being set and the message being sent to young people, many of whom view athletes as role models. James Magnussen, arguably the most high-profile TEG athlete confirmed to date, said he would “juice to the gills” in an effort to win $1m USD for breaking the 50m freestyle world record.

The response to TEG has extended beyond verbal reproach. World Aquatics has become the first IF to ban athletes, coaches, officials, medical support staff and government representatives from its events if they take part in TEG. Under a new by-law, approved on 3 June 2024, individuals who support, endorse, or participate in sporting events that embrace the use of scientific advancements or other practices that may include prohibited substances and/or prohibited methods will not be eligible to hold positions within World Aquatics or to participate in any World Aquatics competitions, events, or other activities.

TEG’s defence

TEG organisers have raised a variety of defences against the wave of criticism, including the following:

• Safety: Athletes will be subject to “gold standard” medical assessments, including state-of-the-art medical profiling, psychological evaluations, access to new technologies (e.g. real-time portable echocardiograms), and oversight by independent scientific and ethics boards.[12] Further, organisers have avowed that it will not be a PED free-for-all: substances must be medically prescribed and those that are deemed harmful (e.g. by causing irreversible changes in the body, being highly addictive, etc) will still be prohibited.[13] Dr Dan Turner, TEG’s director of athlete safety and performance, has insisted that with proper monitoring the risks of taking banned drugs can be minimised: “It’s not the use of these substances that’s inherently dangerous… it’s the misuse of these substances.”[14] 
• Defective WADA regime: There has been criticism of existing anti-doping policies on the basis they are “outdated and hypocritical”.[15] D’Souza has pointed to a system that is not fit for purpose, citing one particular survey where 44% of elite athletes had supposedly admitted to doping with only 1% being caught.[16] There has also been intense public criticism about the way WADA handled the Chinese swimming scandal in the lead-up to the Tokyo Olympics, with USADA accusing WADA of “sweeping 23 positive tests under the carpet” and “failing to enforce its own rules”.[17]
• Athlete remuneration: TEG’s own literature promotes the fact it offers “the highest athlete payouts – appearance fees, rank-based bonuses, and record-breaking rewards – across all Enhanced sports.” Organisers emphasise the apparent financial disparities in Olympic sport, whereby the IOC generates billions in revenue ($8 billion USD quadrennially), while athletes are treated as commodities and underpaid.[18]
• Level playing field: TEG organisers believe that anti-doping is premised on the idea of fairness (rather than health), but fairness is a nebulous term in itself.[19] Academic Paul Dimeo has highlighted how only a minority of athletes from affluent backgrounds and nations have access to resources such as altitude training and specialist equipment, thereby debunking the notion of a “level playing field”.[20]
• Technology: A multitude of world records were set at 2008 Beijing Olympics by athletes wearing the Speedo LZR swimsuit, in what the IOC later called “a moment when technology went too far”.[21] However, setting the level of permissible technology is arbitrary when it comes to the spirit of sport, and there is certainly no suggestion that the banned swimsuits were harmful to athlete health.
• Normalisation vs stigma of PED use: Absent of TEG, PEDs (including image enhancing drugs) are already being normalised via social media, popular recreational gym culture and the broader “pharmaceuticalisation” of daily life.[22] Therefore, it is lazy and sanctimonious to blame TEG as encouraging drug use amongst young people when it is a broader societal issue.

Potential legal Issues

Whilst the inaugural TEG event is still some ten months away, various legal issues could potentially arise that cut across national and international law. With Las Vegas hosting the first edition, there might be a focus on Nevada state and US Federal laws, but many of the competing athletes will be based and train outside the US. Below are the types of issues where lawyers could become involved:

• Anti-doping laws / international treaties: TEG is viewed by many as a direct challenge to long-standing global anti-doping frameworks, notably the WADA Code and the UNESCO International Convention against Doping in Sport. The latter is a treaty, ratified by circa 190 countries, who each agreed to adopt national measures to prevent and eliminate doping in sport. Hosting or supporting an event that permits or encourages PED use could be seen as violating a country’s treaty obligations.
• Public health and regulatory: Some of the PEDs that TEG athletes could conceivably use – such as anabolic steroids, human growth hormone or erythropoietin (“EPO”) – are tightly controlled or banned in certain jurisdictions. Doctors or support personnel involved in supplying, administering or prescribing PEDs could face revocation of medical licences, or even potential criminal charges, if found to be acting unethically or illegally.
• Labour and employment laws: If competing athletes are viewed as employees or independent contractors, organisers may bear responsibility for ensuring their health and safety. Encouraging – or even simply enabling – the use of PEDs could give rise to legal claims based on unsafe working conditions, coercion, or negligence. This is especially problematic if athletes feel economic or competitive pressure to use PEDs in order to remain viable contenders.
• Criminal liability: In many countries, distributing or trafficking controlled substances—even for non-recreational purposes — is a serious offence. Should athletes or support staff transport PEDs across borders, they may breach customs regulations, import-export laws, etc.
• Civil Liability: Organisers could potentially face civil lawsuits for personal injury or wrongful death if participants are harmed or even die because of PED use. Pharmaceutical companies could also be drawn into litigation if their products are misused or falsely promoted during TEG competitions.
• Sponsorship and insurance: Major sponsors and media outlets can include morality or compliance clauses in their contracts. The controversial nature of the TEG may deter investment or lead to the termination of deals if partners fear reputational harm or conflict with advertising standards. Similarly, securing venues and insurance could prove difficult if the event’s legal status is unclear or considered high-risk.
• Regulatory pushback: WADA’s President has urged US authorities to find legal ways to block TEG from going ahead[23], and it will be interesting to see if other IFs follow World Aquatics’ lead in banning swimmers who compete in TEG. This raises potential legal disputes over eligibility, discrimination, and restraint of trade. From a public funding perspective, governments may also restrict or withhold funding from athletes, organisations or venues involved.

Conclusion

As outlined above, TEG represents a potential legal minefield. Whilst it has been framed by proponents as a bold experience in bodily autonomy, scientific innovation and economic freedom, TEG exists in direct tension with a legal system that is built to protect the integrity of sport and the health and safety of athletes. 

The response of the mainstream media has largely been one of cynicism rather than excitement. However, the academic Andrew Richardson believes there is a genuine interest and curiosity for TEG to take place to see what enhanced human performance is.[24] The spectacle of sport is increasingly not just about the game itself, but includes a vast ecosystem of broadcasting, merchandising and fan engagement built around high-powered entertainment.[25] 

It certainly feels apt that Las Vegas – a city known as the “entertainment capital of the world” – was chosen as TEG’s launch location. It is also a city known for its synthetic nature, for risk taking, and for pushing the boundaries of ethical acceptance.

[1] ‘Enhanced Games: audacious plan for sporting event without drug testing’ (The Guardian, 24 June 2023): https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/jun/24/australian-entrepreneur-plots-enhanced-games-for-drug-taking-athletes

[2] Bryan Armen Graham, ‘Pro-doping Enhanced Games to debut in Las Vegas with Trump Jr backing’ (The Guardian, 21 May 2024): https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/may/21/enhanced-games-las-vegas-dates-trump-jr-thiel

[3] According to investor Chris Buskirk, “I’ve always supported initiatives that challenge the status quo and push humanity forward”. See Javier Carro, ‘Enhanced Games set for 2026 debut’ (Inside the Games, 22 May 2025): https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1153499/enhanced-games-set-for-2026-debut

[4] See Javier Carro, ‘Enhanced Games set for 2026 debut’ (Inside the Games, 22 May 2025): https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1153499/enhanced-games-set-for-2026-debut

[5] WADA Press Release (18 March 2025): https://www.wada-ama.org/en/news/wada-calls-continued-collaboration-during-2025-annual-symposium

[6] WADA Press Release (22 May 2025): https://www.wada-ama.org/en/news/wada-athlete-council-strongly-opposes-enhanced-games

[7] Jorge Garcia and Arafat Barbakh, ‘Enhanced Games to launch in 2026, backing global anti-doping norms’ (Reuters, 22 May 2025): https://www.reuters.com/sports/athletics/enhanced-games-launch-2026-bucking-global-anti-doping-norms-2025-05-21/

[8] ‘China urges sports bodies to reject “gladiator show” Enhance Games’ (Reuters, 24 May 2025): https://www.reuters.com/sports/china-urges-sports-bodies-reject-gladiator-show-enhanced-games-2025-05-24/

[9] Martin Chandler, Ian Boardley, ‘Harm reduction in the Enhanced Games: Can performance enhancing drugs be ‘safe’?’, Performance Enhancement & Health, Volume 13, Issue 3, 2025, 100341,

ISSN 2211-2669, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.peh.2025.100341.

[10] Alex Oller, ‘WADA, IOC call Enhanced Games “immoral”’ (Inside the Games, 11 June 2025): https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1153775/wada-ioc-call-enhanced-games-immoral

[11] Bryan Armen Graham, ‘Pro-doping Enhanced Games to debut in Las Vegas with Trump Jr backing’ (The Guardian, 21 May 2024): https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/may/21/enhanced-games-las-vegas-dates-trump-jr-thiel

[12] Javier Carro, ‘Enhanced Games set for 2026 debut’ (Inside the Games, 22 May 2025): https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1153499/enhanced-games-set-for-2026-debut

[13] Only substances approved by the United States’ Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) can be taken.

[14] Sean Single, ‘Scientists warn Enhanced Games athletes of heart attack risks and having libidos “killed off”’ (The Guardian, 22 May 2025): https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/may/22/scientists-warns-doping-enhanced-games-athletes-underestimate-long-term-risks. Incidentally, Prof. Ian Broadley disagrees with the proposition that medical supervision means it is safe: “Some of the evidence of the adverse effects is only starting to come through after 10-20 years of people using these substances… so monitoring something in the very short term is not going to give any information about some of the more harmful effects.”

[15] Bryan Armen Graham, ‘Pro-doping Enhanced Games to debut in Las Vegas with Trump Jr backing’ (The Guardian, 21 May 2024): https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/may/21/enhanced-games-las-vegas-dates-trump-jr-thiel

[16] Lawrence Ostlere, ‘”I want to see 60-year-olds breaking world records”: Welcome to the Olympics with NO drugs testing’ (The Independent, 19 June 2024): https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/olympics/enhanced-games-olympics-doping-aron-dsouza-b2565593.html

[17] Lars Jorgensen, ‘WADA and USADA are embroiled in a bitter fight over Chinese case that affects everyone in anti-doping’ (Play the Game, 5 July 2024): https://www.playthegame.org/news/wada-and-usada-are-embroiled-in-a-bitter-fight-over-chinese-case-that-affects-everyone-in-anti-doping/

[18] Alex Oller, ‘WADA, IOC call Enhanced Games “immoral”’ (Inside the Games, 11 June 2025): https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1153775/wada-ioc-call-enhanced-games-immoral

[19] Luke Turnock, ‘The Enhanced Games: Prohibition, harm reduction & the future of sport’, Performance Enhancement & Health, Volume 12, Issue 4, 2024, 100295, ISSN 2211-2669, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.peh.2024.100295

[20] Paul Dimeo, ‘The myth of clean sport and its unintended consequences’, Performance Enhancement & Health, Volume 4, Issue 3-4, 2016, Pages 103-110, ISSN 2211-2669, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.peh.2016.04.001

[21] Aliza Chasan, ‘Why some types of swimsuits are banned at the Olympics’ (CBS News, 29 July 2024): https://www.cbsnews.com/news/olympics-why-some-types-of-swimsuits-are-banned/

[22] Luke Turnock, ‘The Enhanced Games: Prohibition, harm reduction & the future of sport’, Performance Enhancement & Health, Volume 12, Issue 4, 2024, 100295, ISSN 2211-2669, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.peh.2024.100295

[23] ‘WADA urges US authorities to shut down Enhanced Games’ (Associated Press, 11 June 2025): https://www.espn.co.uk/olympics/story/_/id/45491208/wada-urges-us-authorities-shut-enhanced-games

[24] Andrew Richardson, ‘The Enhanced Games or Enhancing Harm?’, Performance Enhancement & Health, Volume 12, Issue 3, 2024, 100285, ISSN 2211-2669, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.peh.2024.100285

[25] How Sports became an Entertainment Spectacle’ (CEO Weekly, 14 April 2025): https://ceoweekly.com/how-sports-became-an-entertainment-spectacle/