Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleGreek swimmer Kristian Gkolomeev unofficially broke the 50m freestyle world record with a time of 20.81 seconds at the inaugural Enhanced Games in Las Vegas, surpassing Cameron McEvoy's previous mark. Gkolomeev received a $1m bonus for setting the new record, alongside an additional $250,000 for winning the race, marking his second such bonus after previously beating Cesar Cielo's record in February. Results from the Enhanced Games are not recognised by global sporting authorities, such as World Aquatics, due to the event permitting athletes to use substances banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). World Aquatics has strongly criticised the Enhanced Games, describing it as a 'circus', and only awards bonuses for records achieved in competitions it organises, contrasting with McEvoy who received no financial reward for his clean world record. The organisers of the Enhanced Games contend that prohibiting performance-enhancing drugs stifles athletic potential, a position that is firmly opposed by WADA and other sporting bodies who warn of health risks and potential bans for participants. In fullKristian Gkolomeev bags $1m bonus for smashing 50m freestyle world record at Enhanced GamesThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in
Why a swimmer’s 50m world record at the Enhanced Games won’t be recognised
Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleGreek swimmer Kristian Gkolomeev unofficially broke the 50m freestyle world record with a time of 20.81 seconds at the inaugural Enhanced Games in Las Vegas, surpassing Cameron McEvoy's previous mark. Gkolomeev received a $1m bonus for setting the new record, alongside an additional $250,000 for winning the race, marking his second such bonus after previously beating Cesar Cielo's record in February. Results from the Enhanced Games are not recognised by global sporting authorities, such as World Aquatics, due to the event permitting athletes to use substances banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). World Aquatics has strongly criticised the Enhanced Games, describing it as a 'circus', and only awards bonuses for records achieved in competitions it organises, contrasting with McEvoy who received no financial reward for his clean world record. The organisers of the Enhanced Games contend that prohibiting performance-enhancing drugs stifles athletic potential, a position that is firmly opposed by WADA and other sporting bodies who warn of health risks and potential bans for participants. In fullKristian Gkolomeev bags $1m bonus for smashing 50m freestyle world record at Enhanced GamesThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in
Greek swimmer Kristian Gkolomeev clocked 20.81s in the 50m freestyle at the inaugural Enhanced Games in Las Vegas, earning $1.25m in bonuses but no official world record recognition. World Aquatics and WADA refuse to validate results from the event, which permits banned performance-enhancing substances — drawing a hard line between sanctioned competition and the emerging "enhanced athletics" market.
