Мільйон доларів за допінг: плавець вразив “Олімпіаду на стероїдах” неймовірним рекордом

The controversial Enhanced Games competition kicked off with an incredible swimming record. While anti-doping agencies are raising alarms, athletes themselves are proclaiming a new era of honesty in sports.

At the first-ever Enhanced Games tournament, where doping is officially permitted, Greek swimmer Kristian Gkolomeev set an unofficial world record. For the 50m freestyle race, the 32-year-old athlete received a fantastic prize of $1 million.

This is reported by Lad Bible.

The Enhanced Games, which have already been dubbed the “Olympics on steroids,” began with a sensational result – on May 24th, Gkolomeev achieved a time that surpassed the world record.

During the debut tournament, where athletes are officially allowed to use performance-enhancing substances, the Greek swimmer covered the 50m freestyle distance in 20.81 seconds. His result was 0.07 seconds faster than the previous record. For this achievement, the 32-year-old athlete received the promised bonus of $1 million from the organizers.

Speaking about the second payout of this magnitude in his career, Gkolomeev noted on the Enhanced Games YouTube channel:

“Another million, I have to say, is not too bad. It will definitely change my life for the better. It’s a great help for me and my family.”

The swimmer also commented on his performance.

“I had a really good swim. I made a mistake during my breakout after the start. I got a little nervous, but the rest of the race went well, so I was able to do it,” Gkolomeev said.

In addition to the million-dollar bonus for the record, he also received $250,000 for winning the race and reclaimed the title of record holder in the 50m freestyle.

The International Swimming Federation World Aquatics has already stated that it does not support the Enhanced Games and will not recognize records set within these competitions.

Currently, the official world record in the men’s 50m freestyle remains with Australian Cameron McEvoy – 20.88 seconds.

“To be the best, you don’t need to succumb to pressure or take drugs. We don’t want children to be forced to think, ‘To win an Olympic medal at 18 or 20, I have to inject myself daily with a potentially dangerous substance in my buttock’,” stated Travis Tygart, CEO of the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA).

Conversely, American track and field athlete Shania Collins believes that the tournament participants are behaving more honestly than those who secretly violate anti-doping rules.

“We are open, honest, and transparent from the outset. So how can you question our integrity if we are clearly stating it?” Collins said.

British Olympic silver medalist Ben Proud, in turn, stated that traditional sports do not provide athletes with enough earning opportunities, while the Enhanced Games open the way to significant prize money.

“I was 30, I had just won a silver medal, and what future awaited me?” said Proud, who will still receive $250,000 for winning the race, even though he did not break the record.

A total of 42 athletes participated in the competition. Only four of them declared that they did not use stimulants. At the same time, three of these four still became winners in their disciplines – American sprinters Fred Kerley and Tristan Evelyn from Barbados, as well as American swimmer Hunter Armstrong, who won the 50m backstroke.

What are the doping rules at the Enhanced Games?

Despite the permission to use performance-enhancing drugs – including testosterone, anabolic steroids, growth hormones, HGH, EPO, stimulants, and metabolic modulators – the organizers have still implemented certain restrictions. Therefore, it is not a complete absence of rules.

Athletes are only allowed to use drugs that have approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. However, cocaine, heroin, and other illegal or uncertified substances remain strictly prohibited.

Furthermore, participants using performance-enhancing drugs will be under constant medical supervision. Regular physiological monitoring and medical profiling are provided for them to avoid dangerous substance abuse.

The organizers also emphasize that the use of such drugs is not a mandatory condition for participation. “Unenhanced” athletes are also allowed to compete, which, according to the creators of the format, allows for a comparison of the limits of natural and medically enhanced human capabilities.

By the way, San Francisco is preparing to host the world’s first “sperm race” Cup with a prize fund of $100,000. Over 10,000 people from more than 100 countries have applied, and 128 participants will compete in the finals. For the tournament, men will be sent collection kits, which will then be analyzed in a laboratory in California.

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