May 25, 2026 1:32 PMA Swimmer Broke a World Record at the “Steroid Olympics”Dozens of juiced athletes competed at the Enhanced Games in Las Vegas. Most won’t admit what drugs they used.Maximilian Martin, Cofounder & CEO, Enhanced Games and Kristian Gkolomeev, winner of the men’s 50m free.Photograph: Leon Bennett/Getty ImagesThe crowd’s murmur grew to a roar as Kristian Gkolomeev hit the final quarter of the 50-meter freestyle swim, the Las Vegas Strip backdrop alight behind him.The 32-year-old Greek swimmer was racing in the final competition of the Enhanced Games, a controversial sporting event where 42 athletes from around the world—encouraged to dope using substances that would get them kicked out of the Olympics or most other international competitions—took their shot at world records, personal bests, and enormous prizes: $250,000 for first place, and $1 million for beating a world record.They did so despite the condemnation of many top worldwide sporting agencies due to fairness concerns and major health risks like blood pressure, stroke, liver damage, and psychological issues; some bodies even promised to ban anyone who participated in Enhanced.Gkolomeev, who has participated in four Olympics but never made the podium, beat the record with a time of 20.81 seconds, technically besting the 20.88 seconds set by Australian Cameron McEvoy at the China Open in March. Except he did it using performance-enhancing drugs and wearing a “supersuit” that World Aquatics had banned over 15 years ago due to the unfair advantage it gave swimmers (as such, the record won’t be counted as official.)Kristian Gkolomeev at the Enhanced Games.