Kristian Gkolomeev poses after setting a “world record” in the 50m freestyle of 21.81 during the Enhanced Games at Resorts World Las Vegas. [Kirby Lee/Imagn Images via Reuters]
Greek swimmer Kristian Gkolomeev earned a $1 million bonus for beating a world record while sprinter Fred Kerley won a weak 100m as the drug-friendly Enhanced Games made a hyperbolic debut at a casino car park in Las Vegas on Sunday.
Gkolomeev, who failed to make the podium in four Olympics, posted a time of 20.81 seconds in the 50 metres freestyle, 0.07 seconds faster than the official world record held by Australia’s Cameron McEvoy.
The time in the final event of the Enhanced programme will not make official record books because competitors’ results are considered illegal by global sporting authorities.
The Enhanced Games endorses athletes who use substances banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), while the swimmers are also allowed to wear polyurethane “super-suits” banned in 2010.
