Enhanced Games Slated for 2026 Memorial Day Weekend; Kristian Gkolomeev Goes Faster Than 50 Free World Record
During a press conference on Wednesday afternoon in Las Vegas, organizers announced that the inaugural edition of The Enhanced Games will take place over Memorial Day Weekend in 2026. The competition, which does not ban the use of performance-enhancing drugs by its athletes, will be held at Resorts World Las Vegas and will feature action in swimming (50-meter freestyle; 100 freestyle; 50 butterfly; 100 butterfly), track (100-meter dash; 100/110 hurdles) and weightlifting (snatch; clean and jerk).
It was also revealed during the press conference that Greece’s Kristian Gkolomeev recently clocked a time of 20.89 in the 50 freestyle, an effort faster than the 2009 world record of Brazilian Cesar Cielo (20.91). Although that performance will not be recognized as an official world record, the Enhanced Games awarded Gkolomeev a $1 million bonus as part of its athlete-incentive model.
Gkolomeev wore a full-body Jaked suit for his swim and later clocked 21.03 while wearing a jammer.
“This isn’t just about breaking records,” said Gkolomeev, a four-time Olympian and the silver medalist in the 50 freestyle at the 2019 World Championships. “It’s about breaking limits. The Enhanced Games gave me the resources and the team to unlock a new level of performance – and now the whole world can see what’s possible.”
When the Enhanced Games are held, organizers plan to offer athletes purses of $500,000 per event, with $250,000 awarded to the winner. The competition is attracting athletes through appearances fees and by offering record-breaking bonus, including $1 million awards when athletes break the world record in the 50-freestyle and 100-meter dash, events the Enhanced Games refers to as “the two definitive tests of raw human speed.”
In preparation for the Enhanced Games, a competition complex will be constructed inside Resorts World Las Vegas. The venue will feature a four-lane pool, six-lane track and weightlifting stage. The events will be streamed digitally.
Additionally, the Enhanced Games announced the launch of a documentary featuring Gkolomeev in pursuit of a time faster than the world record in the 50 freestyle. Available on YouTube, the documentary also features Australian Olympians James Magnussen and Brett Hawke, who are part of the Enhanced Games Team, with Hawke serving as head coach.
“I’m here to help athletes explore the full capacity of human performance,” Hawke said on social media. “For too long, we’ve operated within artificial limits—tied down by politics, hypocrisy, and outdated systems. This platform is different. It’s about transparency, safety, and a level playing field where every athlete knows the rules and has the freedom to push their limits.”
In its press release, the Enhanced Games indicated it will utilize a Performance Enhancement Protocol in which athletes are medically supervised, with health markers monitored during the use of performance-enhancing substances.
“We live in a world transformed by science – from vaccines to (artificial intelligence),” said Aron D’Souza, the founder and CEO of the Enhanced Games. “But sport has stood still. Until today. We are not updating the rulebook – we are rewriting it. And we’re doing it safely, ethically, and boldly.”