{"id":1956406,"date":"2026-05-26T14:49:28","date_gmt":"2026-05-26T11:49:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1956406"},"modified":"2026-05-26T14:49:28","modified_gmt":"2026-05-26T11:49:28","slug":"inside-the-enhanced-games-everything-that-happened-on-sports-most-controversial-night","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1956406","title":{"rendered":"Inside the Enhanced Games: Everything that happened on sport\u2019s most controversial night"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/77\/30\/07\/1200x675_cmsv2_604364b9-a8a4-55c9-a5ee-03e1c698494a-9773007.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2896752-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2896752\" data-cid=\"9773094\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2896752-label-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/77\/30\/94\/189x106_cmsv2_e3282c8a-6180-54c4-a695-cd567942d189-9773094.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"German Economy and Energy Katherina Reiche arrives for the cabinet meeting at the chancellery in Berlin, Germany, Wednesday, May 13, 2026.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Germany resists EU members&#8217; push for a tougher stance on China\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2896779-pos2-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2896779\" data-cid=\"9773255\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2896779-label-pos2-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/77\/32\/55\/189x106_cmsv2_635a1549-9cb2-508c-b0ca-00fb6a49a80f-9773255.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Humanitarian aid waiting to be picked up on the Palestinian side of the Kerem Shalom aid crossing in the Gaza Strip\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Health news<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Foreign aid cuts: Which countries cut spending the most in 2025?\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2895858-pos3-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2895858\" data-cid=\"9769416\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2895858-label-pos3-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/76\/94\/16\/189x106_cmsv2_1a0e46d2-fc5b-5f14-a3d4-f17f837bf3f1-9769416.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Children of Graceland (project).\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Art<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    &#8216;Holy Pop!&#8217;: Inside the surreal world of extreme fandoms\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2896499-pos4-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2896499\" data-cid=\"9771983\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2896499-label-pos4-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/77\/19\/83\/189x106_cmsv2_13bfbfbd-4473-5938-8bf0-3ab65012e26f-9771983.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Employees of the national electricity distributor work in freezing temperatures to fix power lines damaged by blizzards, near Pitulicea, Romania, Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2012.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    No reply means yes: EU pushes silent approval for energy grid permits\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2896752-pos1-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2896752\" data-cid=\"9773094\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2896752-label-pos1-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/77\/30\/94\/189x106_cmsv2_e3282c8a-6180-54c4-a695-cd567942d189-9773094.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"German Economy and Energy Katherina Reiche arrives for the cabinet meeting at the chancellery in Berlin, Germany, Wednesday, May 13, 2026.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Germany resists EU members&#8217; push for a tougher stance on China\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2896779-pos2-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2896779\" data-cid=\"9773255\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2896779-label-pos2-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/77\/32\/55\/189x106_cmsv2_635a1549-9cb2-508c-b0ca-00fb6a49a80f-9773255.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Humanitarian aid waiting to be picked up on the Palestinian side of the Kerem Shalom aid crossing in the Gaza Strip\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Health news<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Foreign aid cuts: Which countries cut spending the most in 2025?\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2895858-pos3-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2895858\" data-cid=\"9769416\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2895858-label-pos3-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/76\/94\/16\/189x106_cmsv2_1a0e46d2-fc5b-5f14-a3d4-f17f837bf3f1-9769416.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Children of Graceland (project).\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Art<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    &#8216;Holy Pop!&#8217;: Inside the surreal world of extreme fandoms\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2896499-pos4-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2896499\" data-cid=\"9771983\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2896499-label-pos4-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/77\/19\/83\/189x106_cmsv2_13bfbfbd-4473-5938-8bf0-3ab65012e26f-9771983.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Employees of the national electricity distributor work in freezing temperatures to fix power lines damaged by blizzards, near Pitulicea, Romania, Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2012.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    No reply means yes: EU pushes silent approval for energy grid permits\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"helper-site-row o-article-newsy\">\n<div class=\"helper-site-container o-article-newsy__container\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__main\">\n<header class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__header\">\n<nav aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs\">\n<div id=\"adb-article-breadcrumb\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs__list\">\n<p>                          Health<\/p>\n<p>                          Health news<\/p><\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<h1 class=\"c-article-redesign-title\">\n                            Inside the Enhanced Games: Everything that happened on sport\u2019s most controversial night<\/h1>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-video u-position-relative \">\n<div class=\"js-superdiv u-aspect-ratio-16x9 u-position-relative \" data-sponsored=\"Partner content\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"js-poster-img c-article-media__img\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/77\/30\/07\/1536x864_cmsv2_604364b9-a8a4-55c9-a5ee-03e1c698494a-9773007.jpg\" width=\"1536\" height=\"864\" loading=\"eager\" alt=\"Greek swimmer Kristian Gkolomeev holds up his trophies during an award ceremony at the Enhanced Games in Las Vegas on 24 May 2026\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-caption u-position-absolute\"><i id=\"article-caption-content\" class=\"c-article-caption__content\"><span class=\"c-article-caption__text\"><br \/>\n              Greek swimmer Kristian Gkolomeev holds up his trophies during an award ceremony at the Enhanced Games in Las Vegas on 24 May 2026<br \/>\n                    <span class=\"u-color-white\">&#8211;\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__copyright\">Copyright\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__credit\">AP Photo <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-copyright c-article-image-copyright--novideo\">\n      Copyright\u00a0AP Photo\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__body u-article-content\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__contributors-publication-date\">\n<div class=\"c-article-contributors\">\n  By&amp;nbspTheo Farrant\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-publication-date\" data-timestamp=\"1779806968\">\n         Published on<br \/>\n            <time datetime=\"2026-05-26 16:49:28 +02:00\">26\/05\/2026 &#8211; 16:49 GMT+2<\/time><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire u-align-items-center u-display-flex\"><span class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire__links u-align-items-center u-display-flex u-justify-content-center js-c-article-partage-commentaire-share\"><span>Share<\/span><\/span><span>Comments<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire-popup-overlay js-c-article-partage-commentaire-popup-overlay u-display-none\">\n<div id=\"js-c-article-partage-commentaire-popup\" class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire-popup js-c-article-partage-commentaire-popup\">\n<div class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire-popup__header u-display-flex\"><span>Share<\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/icon-close.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"Close Button\" class=\"u-cursor-pointer js-c-article-partage-commentaire-close\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire-popup__content u-display-flex\">\n<div id=\"partage-commentaire-popup-content-container\" class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire-popup__content__container u-display-flex\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-facebook.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"facebook\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Facebook<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-facebook.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"facebook\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-twitter.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"twitter\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Twitter<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-twitter.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"twitter\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-flipboard.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"flipboard\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Flipboard<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-flipboard.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"flipboard\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-send.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"send\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Send<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-send.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"send\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-reddit.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"reddit\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Reddit<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-reddit.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"reddit\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-linkedin.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"linkedin\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Linkedin<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-linkedin.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"linkedin\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-messenger.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"messenger\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Messenger<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-messenger.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"messenger\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-telegram.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"telegram\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Telegram<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-telegram.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"telegram\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-vk.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"vk\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>VK<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-vk.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"vk\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-bluesky.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"bluesky\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Bluesky<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-bluesky.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"bluesky\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-threads.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"threads\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Threads<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-threads.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"threads\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-whatsapp.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"whatsapp\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Whatsapp<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-whatsapp.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"whatsapp\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"c-article-summary\">\n        91% of competitors used testosterone, 79% human growth hormone \u2013 but the promise of multiple world records failed to materialise. Here&#8217;s what actually happened.<br \/>\n    <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-content c-article-content--health js-article-content\">\n<p>Las Vegas is known for its over-the-top spectacle. The heavyweight fights, the mega-concerts, the Formula 1.<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>But Sunday night&#8217;s Enhanced Games &#8211; featuring a purpose-built arena on the Strip, a cast of athletes on a cocktail of banned substances, and a promised bonanza of shattered world records &#8211; may have been the most audacious and controversial show the city has ever staged. <\/p>\n<p>The event, backed by billionaire investors including Peter Thiel and Donald Trump Jr., billed itself as a new model for sport: one in which performance-enhancing drugs are permitted, regulated, and celebrated. An event to push the human body to its ultimate limit. <\/p>\n<p>Athletes competed for $250,000 per event win and a $1 million bonus for breaking a world record.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe have arrived in mainstream culture,\u201d claimed the Enhanced Games\u2019 CEO, \u00adMaximilian Martin. \u201cWe are here to stay. We have changed the world tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>It was a bold statement for an event that, by its own metric, largely fell short. The records, for the most part, did not come.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>What happened?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>The evening covered swimming, weightlifting and track. The night&#8217;s standout performance came from Greek swimmer Kristian Gkolomeev, who won the 50-metre freestyle in 20.81 seconds, just 0.07 quicker than the legal world record set by Australian Cameron McEvoy in March this year. Gkolomeev claimed the $1 million world-record bonus. <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;This is going to change my life to the good, for sure,&#8221; he said. <\/p>\n<p>The record will not count officially &#8211; Gkolomeev was using WADA-banned substances and wearing a banned polyurethane skinsuit, both of which are believed to provide around a 2% performance boost.<\/p>\n<p>It also attracted a more immediate challenge: online sleuths on Instagram claimed that Gkolomeev appeared to touch the wall after his time of 20.81 had already flashed up on screen, casting doubt on the accuracy of the timing. <\/p>\n<p>The Enhanced Games dismissed the claims as &#8220;completely unfounded internet drivel&#8221;, saying its timing had been operated by Primetime Timing, which it described as &#8220;a recognised, reputable, ISO certified system used in countless other international events and never questioned&#8221;.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6665\">\n<div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n<div class=\"widget__contents\">\n<figure class=\"widget__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/77\/30\/07\/808x539_cmsv2_f29a645a-0a29-5ed8-ae32-74e49d4cde88-9773007.jpg\" alt=\"Fred Kerley, of the United States, wins the men&apos;s 100-meter final at the Enhanced Games in Las Vegas, 24 May 2026.\"><figcaption class=\"widget__caption\"><span class=\"widget__captionWrap\"><span class=\"widget__captionText\">Fred Kerley, of the United States, wins the men&#8217;s 100-meter final at the Enhanced Games in Las Vegas, 24 May 2026.<\/span><span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Credit: AP Photo <\/span><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>On the track, American sprinter Fred Kerley &#8211; who had publicly predicted Usain Bolt&#8217;s world record of 9.58 would get &#8220;destroyed&#8221; &#8211; ran 9.97 seconds in the 100 metres. To put that in context: at the Paris Olympics two years ago, Kerley ran 9.81 and won bronze. A 9.97 would have placed him last in that final. <\/p>\n<p>In fairness, the race was interrupted four times by false starts and an untied shoe. Kerley, who claimed he did not use performance enhancers, still collected $250,000 for finishing first. Not a bad evening&#8217;s work for a 9.97. <\/p>\n<p>Barbadian sprinter Tristan Evelyn, also competing as a drug-free athlete, won the women\u2019s 100m in a relatively modest 11.25 seconds before saying: \u201cThis proves that winning takes more than chemistry.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>British swimmer and Olympic silver medallist Ben Proud, who did take multiple substances, won the 50m butterfly in 22.32 &#8211; just 0.05 seconds outside the world record. &#8220;We all know what we came for. And that&#8217;s world records. And so to be that agonizingly close, it&#8217;s frustrating,&#8221; he said.<\/p>\n<p>Given that three athletes who said they were competing drug-free went on to win events, the results raise questions about the Enhanced Games\u2019 central premise: that pharmacological freedom has the ability to unlock superhuman performance. <\/p>\n<h2><strong>What drugs were taken and how were they administered?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Organisers published a breakdown of the substances taken by competing athletes over an eight-week preparation period. <\/p>\n<p>Among those who doped: 91% used testosterone or testosterone esters; 79% used human growth hormone; 62% used stimulants such as Adderall; and 41% used EPO, the endurance drug long associated with cycling doping scandals. <\/p>\n<p>Organisers said all medications were approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.<\/p>\n<p>The Enhanced Games&#8217; parent company sells many of the same substances to the public, and argues that banning them stifles athletes&#8217; potential. <\/p>\n<p>But the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and WADA have declared the results illegal. World Aquatics called the event a &#8220;circus, built on short-cuts&#8221;.<\/p>\n<h2>What do health experts say?<\/h2>\n<p>The scientific community has been watching with a mixture of alarm and, in some quarters, reluctant curiosity.<\/p>\n<p>Professor Rob Aughey, Head of Discipline for Exercise and Sport Science at Federation University Australia, called the event &#8220;a dangerous stunt with no place as a sporting event&#8221;, warning that competitors faced risks of &#8220;high blood pressure, abnormal dangerous heart growth, kidney and liver damage and failure, muscle strain and ruptures&#8221; &#8211; as well as psychological harm including &#8220;addiction, psychosis, aggression, mood swings&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p>Dr Catherine Norton, an associate professor of Sport and Exercise Nutrition at the University of Limerick, highlighted the particular danger of layering multiple substances at high doses. &#8220;The concern is magnified when combinations of substances are used, often at doses far beyond therapeutic recommendations, and in environments where the pressure to continually push boundaries is built into the model itself.&#8221;<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6665\">\n<div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n<div class=\"widget__contents\">\n<figure class=\"widget__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/77\/30\/07\/808x539_cmsv2_803e02a0-33a9-5d21-ba5e-5c91e83232f7-9773007.jpg\" alt=\"Juan Solis, of Colombia, competes in the snatch portion of the men&apos;s weightlifting event at the Enhanced Game in Las Vegas, Sunday, 24 May 2026.\"><figcaption class=\"widget__caption\"><span class=\"widget__captionWrap\"><span class=\"widget__captionText\">Juan Solis, of Colombia, competes in the snatch portion of the men&#8217;s weightlifting event at the Enhanced Game in Las Vegas, Sunday, 24 May 2026.<\/span><span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Credit: AP Photo <\/span><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Not everyone is calling simply for the games to be shut down, however. Associate professor Kagan Ducker, Head of Program for Exercise Science at Curtin University, noted an uncomfortable truth. <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The Enhanced Games are a unique opportunity to see how illegal methods and substances can impact sports performance. In reality, we don&#8217;t truly know the effects of many of these illegal substances and methods on exercise performance because they typically have been banned from use in sport, and therefore, research interest and viability to study them are reduced.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>However he did also highlight a clear ethical concern: &#8220;Offering athletes, many of whom have low incomes from sport, is akin to luring lower socio-economic groups to participate in research for money &#8211; it\u2019s truly unethical by any standards.&#8221;<\/p>\n<h2>Normalising the needle?<\/h2>\n<p>Perhaps the most significant question raised by Sunday night is what happens next? Not in Las Vegas, but in gyms, changing rooms, and social media feeds around the world.<\/p>\n<p>Dr Norton identified the drift that should worry us most. &#8220;Social media and fitness culture already place enormous pressure on appearance and performance. If drug-assisted physiques and performances become increasingly normalised or commercialised, it may create unrealistic expectations for young people and recreational athletes.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>He added: &#8220;We should be cautious about creating environments where health is secondary to aesthetics, virality, or short-term outcomes. There is a real risk that the pursuit of &#8216;optimisation&#8217; begins to overshadow wellbeing.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>                                  Go to accessibility shortcuts<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire u-align-items-center u-display-flex\"><span class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire__links u-align-items-center u-display-flex u-justify-content-center js-c-article-partage-commentaire-share\"><span>Share<\/span><\/span><span>Comments<\/span><\/div>\n<div id=\"adb-article-you-might-also-like\" class=\"perf-cv-auto c-article-you-might-also-like\">\n<h2 class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__title\">\n        Read more<br \/>\n      <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__container\">\n<article id=\"abe-2896779-pos0-c-article-you-might-also-like__item\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2896779\" data-cid=\"9773255\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2896779-label-pos0-c-article-you-might-also-like__item\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/77\/32\/55\/480x270_cmsv2_635a1549-9cb2-508c-b0ca-00fb6a49a80f-9773255.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Humanitarian aid waiting to be picked up on the Palestinian side of the Kerem Shalom aid crossing in the Gaza Strip\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Health news<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Foreign aid cuts: Which countries cut spending the most in 2025?<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2896635-pos1-c-article-you-might-also-like__item\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2896635\" data-cid=\"9772535\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2896635-label-pos1-c-article-you-might-also-like__item\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/77\/24\/76\/480x270_cmsv2_5c281759-9e51-59d5-9b72-e68489561d29-9772476.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"file photo\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Health news<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Serious staff shortages in Greek island hospitals and health centres<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2896240-pos2-c-article-you-might-also-like__item\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2896240\" data-cid=\"9770855\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2896240-label-pos2-c-article-you-might-also-like__item\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/77\/08\/15\/480x270_cmsv2_772e5731-0358-5fa3-95da-3a277cefd6d1-9770815.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"FILE: Many of the 20,000 professionals surveyed complain about the instability in the sector.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Health news<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Why do nearly four in 10 nurses want to leave the profession<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto\">\n<ul id=\"adb-article-tags\" class=\"c-tags-list\">\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Steroid<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Doping<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  World record<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Extreme Sports<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Olympic Games<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"o-article-newsy__aside\">\n<div class=\"c-ad-wrapper o-article-newsy__aside__content-1\" data-ad-name=\"adzone-halfpage\">\n<div class=\"c-ad c-ad-halfpage u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"adb-article-top-stories\" class=\"perf-cv-auto c-top-stories\">\n<h2 class=\"c-top-stories__title\">Top stories<\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2896458-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2896458\" data-cid=\"9771665\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2896458-label-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/77\/16\/65\/320x180_cmsv2_641f8659-49fb-5a14-83e2-83c96156469e-9771665.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Younger generations in the UK are showing signs of poorer health than previous generations at the same age, according to a new study. \" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Younger generations not getting healthier, UK study finds<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2895500-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2895500\" data-cid=\"9767496\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2895500-label-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/76\/74\/96\/320x180_cmsv2_f53408bf-69bf-52f1-8142-e58b0241e100-9767496.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Syphilis and gonorrhoea reach record highs in Europe.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>     STIs hit record levels in Europe: what\u2019s driving the rise?<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2895498-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2895498\" data-cid=\"9767456\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2895498-label-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/76\/74\/56\/320x180_cmsv2_9e7152fa-981a-5961-82d2-3b59fce06b81-9767456.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Transparent color-coded mouse scans annotated by MouseMapper for whole-body disease analysis.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    AI maps whole-body damage caused by obesity<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2895561-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2895561\" data-cid=\"9767779\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2895561-label-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/76\/77\/79\/320x180_cmsv2_fa811ec9-786e-50c6-be29-adcdc183ce3f-9767779.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Nearly 1.2 billion people living with mental health conditions worldwide.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Global mental health cases nearly double to 1.2 billion, study<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2895388-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2895388\" data-cid=\"9767070\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2895388-label-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/76\/68\/07\/320x180_cmsv2_863daafe-4eb2-5d3e-bab4-97659e31895a-9766807.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"US doctor who had contact with Ebola-infected people in Uganda arrives at a hospital in Prague, Czech Republic, on Thursday 21 May 2026.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    White House denies blocking Ebola evacuation<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto c-ad-wrapper o-article-newsy__aside__content-2\" data-ad-name=\"adzone-halfpage\">\n<div class=\"c-ad c-ad-halfpage u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto c-most-viewed\">\n<h2 class=\"c-most-viewed__title qa-section-title\">Most read<\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__list\">\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__item\"><span class=\"c-most-viewed__item__number\">1<\/span><\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2895835-pos1-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-related the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2895835\" data-cid=\"9769292\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Deadly snakes might be coming to a neighbourhood near you<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__item\"><span class=\"c-most-viewed__item__number\">2<\/span><\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2896519-pos2-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-related the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2896519\" data-cid=\"9772016\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Health ministry confirms another hantavirus case in Spain<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__item\"><span class=\"c-most-viewed__item__number\">3<\/span><\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2362642-pos3-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--has-related the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2362642\" data-cid=\"7870952\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    COVID: Should we fear a new winter wave?<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__item\"><span class=\"c-most-viewed__item__number\">4<\/span><\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2896240-pos4-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-related the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2896240\" data-cid=\"9770855\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Why do nearly four in 10 nurses want to leave the profession<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__item\"><span class=\"c-most-viewed__item__number\">5<\/span><\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2896151-pos5-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--has-related the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2896151\" data-cid=\"9770538\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Three Red Cross volunteers die from suspected Ebola in DR Congo<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto c-ad-wrapper o-article-newsy__aside__content-3\" data-ad-name=\"adzone-halfpage\">\n<div class=\"c-ad c-ad-halfpage u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2896779-pos0-c-article-you-might-also-like__item\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2896779\" data-cid=\"9773255\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2896779-label-pos0-c-article-you-might-also-like__item\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/77\/32\/55\/480x270_cmsv2_635a1549-9cb2-508c-b0ca-00fb6a49a80f-9773255.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Humanitarian aid waiting to be picked up on the Palestinian side of the Kerem Shalom aid crossing in the Gaza Strip\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Health news<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Foreign aid cuts: Which countries cut spending the most in 2025?<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2896635-pos1-c-article-you-might-also-like__item\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2896635\" data-cid=\"9772535\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2896635-label-pos1-c-article-you-might-also-like__item\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/77\/24\/76\/480x270_cmsv2_5c281759-9e51-59d5-9b72-e68489561d29-9772476.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"file photo\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Health news<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Serious staff shortages in Greek island hospitals and health centres<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2896240-pos2-c-article-you-might-also-like__item\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2896240\" data-cid=\"9770855\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2896240-label-pos2-c-article-you-might-also-like__item\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/77\/08\/15\/480x270_cmsv2_772e5731-0358-5fa3-95da-3a277cefd6d1-9770815.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"FILE: Many of the 20,000 professionals surveyed complain about the instability in the sector.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Health news<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Why do nearly four in 10 nurses want to leave the profession<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2896458-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2896458\" data-cid=\"9771665\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2896458-label-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/77\/16\/65\/320x180_cmsv2_641f8659-49fb-5a14-83e2-83c96156469e-9771665.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Younger generations in the UK are showing signs of poorer health than previous generations at the same age, according to a new study. \" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Younger generations not getting healthier, UK study finds<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2895500-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2895500\" data-cid=\"9767496\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2895500-label-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/76\/74\/96\/320x180_cmsv2_f53408bf-69bf-52f1-8142-e58b0241e100-9767496.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Syphilis and gonorrhoea reach record highs in Europe.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>     STIs hit record levels in Europe: what\u2019s driving the rise?<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2895498-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2895498\" data-cid=\"9767456\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2895498-label-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/76\/74\/56\/320x180_cmsv2_9e7152fa-981a-5961-82d2-3b59fce06b81-9767456.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Transparent color-coded mouse scans annotated by MouseMapper for whole-body disease analysis.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    AI maps whole-body damage caused by obesity<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2895561-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2895561\" data-cid=\"9767779\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2895561-label-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/76\/77\/79\/320x180_cmsv2_fa811ec9-786e-50c6-be29-adcdc183ce3f-9767779.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Nearly 1.2 billion people living with mental health conditions worldwide.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Global mental health cases nearly double to 1.2 billion, study<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2895388-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2895388\" data-cid=\"9767070\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2895388-label-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/76\/68\/07\/320x180_cmsv2_863daafe-4eb2-5d3e-bab4-97659e31895a-9766807.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"US doctor who had contact with Ebola-infected people in Uganda arrives at a hospital in Prague, Czech Republic, on Thursday 21 May 2026.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    White House denies blocking Ebola evacuation<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2895835-pos1-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-related the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2895835\" data-cid=\"9769292\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Deadly snakes might be coming to a neighbourhood near you<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2896519-pos2-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-related the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2896519\" data-cid=\"9772016\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Health ministry confirms another hantavirus case in Spain<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2362642-pos3-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--has-related the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2362642\" data-cid=\"7870952\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    COVID: Should we fear a new winter wave?<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2896240-pos4-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-related the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2896240\" data-cid=\"9770855\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Why do nearly four in 10 nurses want to leave the profession<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2896151-pos5-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--has-related the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2896151\" data-cid=\"9770538\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Three Red Cross volunteers die from suspected Ebola in DR Congo<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"articleBody\" data-key=\"articleBody\">Las Vegas is known for its over-the-top spectacle. The heavyweight fights, the mega-concerts, the Formula 1.But Sunday night&#8217;s Enhanced Games &#8211; featuring a purpose-built arena on the Strip, a cast of athletes on a cocktail of banned substances, and a promised bonanza of shattered world records &#8211; may have been the most audacious and controversial show the city has ever staged.The event, backed by billionaire investors including Peter Thiel and Donald Trump Jr., billed itself as a new model for sport: one in which performance-enhancing drugs are permitted, regulated, and celebrated. An event to push the human body to its ultimate limit.Athletes competed for $250,000 per event win and a $1 million bonus for breaking a world record.\u201cWe have arrived in mainstream culture,\u201d claimed the Enhanced Games\u2019 CEO, \u00adMaximilian Martin. \u201cWe are here to stay. We have changed the world tonight.\u201dIt was a bold statement for an event that, by its own metric, largely fell short. The records, for the most part, did not come.What happened?The evening covered swimming, weightlifting and track. The night&#8217;s standout performance came from Greek swimmer Kristian Gkolomeev, who won the 50-metre freestyle in 20.81 seconds, just 0.07 quicker than the legal world record set by Australian Cameron McEvoy in March this year. Gkolomeev claimed the $1 million world-record bonus.&#8221;This is going to change my life to the good, for sure,&#8221; he said.The record will not count officially &#8211; Gkolomeev was using WADA-banned substances and wearing a banned polyurethane skinsuit, both of which are believed to provide around a 2% performance boost.It also attracted a more immediate challenge: online sleuths on Instagram claimed that Gkolomeev appeared to touch the wall after his time of 20.81 had already flashed up on screen, casting doubt on the accuracy of the timing.The Enhanced Games dismissed the claims as &#8220;completely unfounded internet drivel&#8221;, saying its timing had been operated by Primetime Timing, which it described as &#8220;a recognised, reputable, ISO certified system used in countless other international events and never questioned&#8221;.On the track, American sprinter Fred Kerley &#8211; who had publicly predicted Usain Bolt&#8217;s world record of 9.58 would get &#8220;destroyed&#8221; &#8211; ran 9.97 seconds in the 100 metres. To put that in context: at the Paris Olympics two years ago, Kerley ran 9.81 and won bronze. A 9.97 would have placed him last in that final.In fairness, the race was interrupted four times by false starts and an untied shoe. Kerley, who claimed he did not use performance enhancers, still collected $250,000 for finishing first. Not a bad evening&#8217;s work for a 9.97.Barbadian sprinter Tristan Evelyn, also competing as a drug-free athlete, won the women\u2019s 100m in a relatively modest 11.25 seconds before saying: \u201cThis proves that winning takes more than chemistry.\u201dBritish swimmer and Olympic silver medallist Ben Proud, who did take multiple substances, won the 50m butterfly in 22.32 &#8211; just 0.05 seconds outside the world record. &#8220;We all know what we came for. And that&#8217;s world records. And so to be that agonizingly close, it&#8217;s frustrating,&#8221; he said.Given that three athletes who said they were competing drug-free went on to win events, the results raise questions about the Enhanced Games\u2019 central premise: that pharmacological freedom has the ability to unlock superhuman performance.What drugs were taken and how were they administered?Organisers published a breakdown of the substances taken by competing athletes over an eight-week preparation period.Among those who doped: 91% used testosterone or testosterone esters; 79% used human growth hormone; 62% used stimulants such as Adderall; and 41% used EPO, the endurance drug long associated with cycling doping scandals.Organisers said all medications were approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.The Enhanced Games&#8217; parent company sells many of the same substances to the public, and argues that banning them stifles athletes&#8217; potential.But the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and WADA have declared the results illegal. World Aquatics called the event a &#8220;circus, built on short-cuts&#8221;.What do health experts say?The scientific community has been watching with a mixture of alarm and, in some quarters, reluctant curiosity.Professor Rob Aughey, Head of Discipline for Exercise and Sport Science at Federation University Australia, called the event &#8220;a dangerous stunt with no place as a sporting event&#8221;, warning that competitors faced risks of &#8220;high blood pressure, abnormal dangerous heart growth, kidney and liver damage and failure, muscle strain and ruptures&#8221; &#8211; as well as psychological harm including &#8220;addiction, psychosis, aggression, mood swings&#8221;.Dr Catherine Norton, an associate professor of Sport and Exercise Nutrition at the University of Limerick, highlighted the particular danger of layering multiple substances at high doses. &#8220;The concern is magnified when combinations of substances are used, often at doses far beyond therapeutic recommendations, and in environments where the pressure to continually push boundaries is built into the model itself.&#8221;Not everyone is calling simply for the games to be shut down, however. Associate professor Kagan Ducker, Head of Program for Exercise Science at Curtin University, noted an uncomfortable truth.&#8221;The Enhanced Games are a unique opportunity to see how illegal methods and substances can impact sports performance. In reality, we don&#8217;t truly know the effects of many of these illegal substances and methods on exercise performance because they typically have been banned from use in sport, and therefore, research interest and viability to study them are reduced.&#8221;However he did also highlight a clear ethical concern: &#8220;Offering athletes, many of whom have low incomes from sport, is akin to luring lower socio-economic groups to participate in research for money &#8211; it\u2019s truly unethical by any standards.&#8221;Normalising the needle?Perhaps the most significant question raised by Sunday night is what happens next? Not in Las Vegas, but in gyms, changing rooms, and social media feeds around the world.Dr Norton identified the drift that should worry us most. &#8220;Social media and fitness culture already place enormous pressure on appearance and performance. If drug-assisted physiques and performances become increasingly normalised or commercialised, it may create unrealistic expectations for young people and recreational athletes.&#8221;He added: &#8220;We should be cautious about creating environments where health is secondary to aesthetics, virality, or short-term outcomes. There is a real risk that the pursuit of &#8216;optimisation&#8217; begins to overshadow wellbeing.&#8221;<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/health\/2026\/05\/26\/inside-the-enhanced-games-everything-that-happened-on-sports-most-controversial-night&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/77\/30\/07\/1200x675_cmsv2_604364b9-a8a4-55c9-a5ee-03e1c698494a-9773007.jpg&#8221;] Europe News Germany resists EU members&#8217; push for a tougher stance on China Health news Foreign aid cuts: Which countries cut spending the most in 2025? Art &#8216;Holy Pop!&#8217;: Inside the surreal world of extreme fandoms Europe News No reply means yes: EU pushes silent approval for energy grid permits Europe News [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[90],"tags":[226,36],"class_list":["post-1956406","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-international","tag-crawlmanager","tag-euronews-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1956406","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1956406"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1956406\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1956406"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1956406"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1956406"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}