For over a century, the International Olympic Committee has ruled global sports with an iron grip, dictating what is fair, what is legal, and who gets to compete. The Enhanced Games marks a significant departure from these well-established norms.  With a fresh wave of investment led by Donald Trump Jr., the maiden edition of the so-called “Steroid Olympics” is scheduled to be held end of 2025/early 2026, as per the Enhanced Games’ official website.

According to a New York Post report, The primary investor, 1789 Capital, led by Donald Trump Jr., has poured “double-digit millions” into the project. The Enhanced Games, founded in 2023, by Aron D’Souza, aims to rewrite the boundaries of elite competition, allowing athletes to use performance-enhancing drugs in pursuit of a record-breaking challenge to IOC’s monopoly.  “The International Olympic Committee are legacy incumbents that have a giant, multi-billion dollar, century-long monopoly and they’re afraid of competition,” D’Souza said to the New York Post. Here are all the details that have emerged so far.

Track, swimming, weightlifting, combat, and gymnastics are the events that athletes can participate in at the Enhanced Games. The Games will be held in a warm U.S. city perfect for winter sports. Big names like Billionaire PayPal cofounder Peter Thiel and Investor Christian Angermayer are joining Donald Trump Jr.‘s 1789 Capital to fund this venture.

The Enhanced Games have attracted criticism from different corners. Vitaly Smirnov, an honorary IOC member, denounced the Enhanced Games as the “Steroid Olympics,” warning of dire consequences. “ The war against doping abuse is eternal, but allowing athletes to compete while doped up is akin to murder,” he told TASS.

Michael Ashenden, who has played a key figure in anti-doping efforts, initially criticized the Enhanced Games but later admitted to the Associated Press, “One by one, my visceral objections … fell away. I realized that not following the (World Anti-Doping Agency) rules was not so radical after all.” According to his paper “Not So Fast.” Between 2000 and 2012—118 medals (more than 3%) were captured by athletes who had tested positive. Ashenden believes, “If the only difference between Enhanced Games and the Olympics movement is drug testing, then that would put a spotlight on how effective the testing really is.” 

There is also another way in which the Enhanced Games differ from the Olympic Games; the former intends to incentivize the games. The rewards are jaw-dropping.

Enhanced Games Offers Huge Rewards to Competitors

The Enhanced Games are promising massive payouts for groundbreaking performances. According to the official website, “Athletes competing in the Enhanced Games will receive top-tier appearance fees and outstanding, rank-based prize money“. The first sprinter to shatter the 100-meter world record and the first swimmer to conquer the 50-meter freestyle will each pocket an impressive $1 million.

Against the backdrop of a highly divided public opinion, retired Australian swimmer and Olympic medalist James Magnussen has put forward a rather positive opinion about the controversial event in his July 2024 appearance on “Straight Talk with Mark Bouris”, “This endeavor can actually advance humanity.” Moreover, the lucrative financial incentives may sometimes be too good to simply look past, “You come on board, you break that world record, the million U.S. is yours.” added the swimmer.

The Enhanced Games have certainly incited a lot of public opinion and the debate is raging on as we speak. While we wait for fresh insights into this highly controversial event, take to the comments to let us know how you feel about the entire situation.