History of Enhanced Games in Timeline

The Enhanced Games is a planned sporting event that would permit athletes to use performance-enhancing drugs, foregoing drug testing protocols. Founded by Aron D'Souza, the games challenge the authority and approach of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). D'Souza argues that athletes should have autonomy over their bodies and criticizes the IOC for alleged corruption and inadequate athlete compensation. The event promotes a controversial stance on performance enhancement in sports, sparking debate about athlete rights, safety, and the integrity of competition.

1988: Reference to Weekend Update skit

Cyclist Joseph M. Papp, suspended for doping in 2006, referred to a 1988 Weekend Update skit.

2006: Joseph M. Papp suspended for doping

Cyclist Joseph M. Papp, was suspended for doping in 2006.

2013: D'Souza Involved in Bollea v. Gawker Lawsuit

In 2013, Aron D'Souza, along with Peter Thiel, was involved in the Bollea v. Gawker lawsuit.

2015: D'Souza Co-Founded Sargon

In 2015, Aron D'Souza co-founded the company Sargon with Phillip Kingston.

2022: D'Souza's Idea for Enhanced Games

In 2022, Aron D'Souza had the idea for the Enhanced Games after noticing steroid use at an American gym.

June 2023: Enhanced Games Event Announced

In June 2023, the Enhanced Games event was announced. It is intended to be annual and include track and field, swimming, weightlifting, gymnastics, and combat sports.

July 2023: Sponsors Not Mentioned on Website

As of late July 2023, Cyclist noted that no sponsors were mentioned on the Enhanced Game's website.

July 2023: Athletes Contacted for More Information

In July 2023, Brett Fraser stated that over five hundred athletes had contacted him asking for more information about the Enhanced Games.

August 2023: Plans for Smaller Exhibition in 2024

In August 2023, representatives stated that a smaller "exhibition" would take place in 2024, with a "full event" planned for 2025.

October 2023: Athletes Reluctant to Speak Publicly

In October 2023, CNN commented that so far none of the athletes interested in the Enhanced Games appeared willing to speak publicly.

October 2023: Uncertainty About the Future of the Games

In October 2023, CNN reported that it was an open question whether the Enhanced Games would ever take place.

2023: Olympians Attached to the Organisation

As of 2023, Olympians such as Brett Fraser, Roland Schoeman, and Christina Smith are attached to the Enhanced Games organisation. Geneticist George Church and German billionaire Christian Angermayer are also involved.

January 2024: Enhanced Games Secures Multi-Million Dollar Investment

In January 2024, Enhanced Games announced it had secured a multi-million-dollar investment round from venture capitalists, including Thiel, Angermayer and Balaji Srinivasan.

February 2024: James Magnussen Plans to Compete

In February 2024, Australian swimmer James Magnussen announced his intention to compete in the Enhanced Games to break the 50m freestyle world record. He mentioned he will use performance-enhancing drugs.

February 2024: Thousands of Athletes Interested

In February 2024, D'Souza said that thousands of athletes interested in participating in the Enhanced Games had contacted him.

December 2024: Original Planned Date for Enhanced Games

Originally planned for December 2024, D'Souza estimated the number of athletes to be "maybe a couple of thousand".

2024: Smaller Exhibition Planned

In 2024, a smaller "exhibition" was planned for the Enhanced Games, with a "full event" planned for 2025.

February 2025: Opinions on the Enhanced Games

In February 2025, OutKick's writer supported the Enhanced Games, while Financial Times viewed the project as a "weird thought experiment".

February 2025: Donald Trump Jr. Invests in Enhanced Games

In February 2025, businessman Donald Trump Jr. said that his venture fund 1789 Capital would be involved in an investment round in the Enhanced Games.

April 2025: Kristian Gkolomeev breaks the world record in private

At a private event in April 2025, Greek swimmer Kristian Gkolomeev had unofficially broken the long course 50 metres freestyle world record.

May 2025: Magnussen's Performance-Enhancing Drugs

According to Magnussen, as of May 2025 the performance-enhancing drugs he has taken include testosterone, BPC-157, CJC-1295, ipamorelin and thymosin.

May 2025: Govorov and Miladinov Join Enhanced Games

As of May 2025, Olympic swimmers Andriy Govorov and Josif Miladinov have joined the Enhanced Games, making a total of four athletes.

May 2025: Gkolomeev Unofficially Breaks World Record

In May 2025, Enhanced Games announced that Greek swimmer Kristian Gkolomeev had unofficially broken the long course 50 metres freestyle world record at an April 2025 private event.

May 2025: Future and Influence of Enhanced Games

In May 2025, The Times viewed the Enhanced Games as potentially divisive. Time listed D'Souza and Angermayer among the "Most Influential People in Health of 2025".

May 2025: Games Planned for May 2026 in Las Vegas

In May 2025, the organization announced plans to hold the games in May 2026 at Resorts World Las Vegas. The sports included are swimming, track and field, and weightlifting.

2025: Full Event Planned

In 2025, the "full event" of the Enhanced Games was planned, following a smaller "exhibition" in 2024.

May 2026: First Enhanced Games Competition Scheduled

In May 2026, the first competition of the Enhanced Games is scheduled. The event received generally negative reactions from the sporting world, scientific community, and media due to safety risks associated with encouraging performance-enhancing drug use.