Rumours of the Enhanced Games Extending to Long-Distance Triathlon

Nearly three years after the announcement of the Enhanced Games sent shockwaves through international sport, the project remains one of the most polarizing concepts in modern athletics. Founded in 2023, the event permits athletes to use performance-enhancing drugs under medical supervision. Organizers position it as a transparent alternative to what they argue is the hidden reality of doping in elite competition.

The inaugural edition is scheduled for May 24th in Las Vegas, with organizers publicly stating a total prize pool of $25M. Individual events are reported to carry purses of $500k, including $250k to the winner, alongside million-dollar bonuses for selected world record performances.

A $1M bonus has already been awarded to swimmer Kristian Gkolomeev after a 20.89 performance in the 50m freestyle at a 2025 exhibition swim – 0.02 seconds faster than the longstanding world record (That performance, notably, does not qualify as an official world record under World Aquatics regulations.)

To date, approximately 50 athletes have reportedly signed onto the program across sprinting, swimming, and Olympic weightlifting. Among the most recognizable names are Australian Olympic medalist James Magnussen, American sprinter Fred Kerley, British sprinter Reece Prescod, Irish Olympian Max McCusker, and British swimmer Ben Proud. Several of these athletes are either retired from traditional competition or no longer active within international federation systems.

Current Perspectives and Controversy

The controversy surrounding the Enhanced Games centers on three primary issues: concerns around normalizing doping, endangering athletes’ health, and harming the integrity of sport.

For decades, global sport has operated within anti-doping frameworks led by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), with enforcement carried out by international federations and national anti-doping bodies. The principle that performance-enhancing drugs undermine fairness and athlete welfare is foundational to Olympic and professional sport culture.

Enhanced Games organizers argue that allowing certain substances under medical oversight creates a more honest system, particularly in light of research suggesting that doping prevalence in traditional sport may exceed official testing statistics. Critics counter that normalizing pharmacological enhancement introduces significant health risks and erodes the ethical framework that underpins sport’s social contract.

Governing bodies have moved swiftly to distance themselves. World Aquatics has announced bans for athletes, coaches, and officials who participate in the Enhanced Games. UK Anti-Doping has publicly raised concerns about athlete safety and the broader message sent to young competitors.

In August 2025, the Enhanced Games further escalated tensions by filing an $800M antitrust lawsuit in New York against World Aquatics, USA Swimming, and WADA, alleging anti-competitive conduct. The named organizations have rejected those claims. While the legal process will unfold independently, the filing underscores the widening divide between the project and traditional sport governance.

What About Triathlon?

Speculation intensified when chief executive and co-founder Max Martin, speaking to BBC Sport, floated the idea of expanding beyond the initial three sports. “What else can we do in long distance triathlons? What can we do in cycling? What can we do in marathon running?” he said, adding that conversations were underway with athletes outside sprinting, swimming, and weightlifting.

At present, there is no formal announcement of triathlon’s inclusion. Given the sport’s longstanding commitment to anti-doping and athlete welfare, it is difficult to imagine any response other than the same distancing already seen across other international federations and governing bodies.