Resorts World Las Vegas to Host Doping-Permitted Games in 2026

A new and controversial Olympics-style sporting event, where athletes will be allowed to use performance-enhancing drugs, is set to launch in Las Vegas in May of next year.

Pro-Doping Enhanced Games to Be Held in Las Vegas

Called the Enhanced Games, the sports event will have its inaugural competition in Las Vegas, with swimming, athletics, and weightlifting on the agenda for the athletes. Resorts World will host the games, which will feature significant prizes with up to $500,000 available per event, and a $1 million bonus offered for breaking the world record in either the 100m sprint or the 50m freestyle.

Aron D’Souza, the London-based Australian entrepreneur and founder of the event, said that existing anti-doping regulations are outdated and hypocritical. He describes the Enhanced Games as a modernization of the Olympic model for the 21st century. According to D’Souza, in a time of rapid technological and scientific advancement, the world requires a sporting event that welcomes the future, especially developments in medical science.

The event is held under the premise that it’s done to enhance medicine. Organizers pledge to implement comprehensive medical evaluations, personalized health assessments, and supervision by independent scientific and ethics committees. However, athletes will not undergo conventional anti-doping tests; instead, they will be required to disclose the substances they are using.

Тhe organizers emphasize that they will not permit the misuse of illegal substances. All drugs must be legally prescribed, and athletes must be deemed medically fit to compete. However, the approach to enforcement leans more on collaboration than strict regulation, which is a deliberate aspect of the model, according to the Enhanced Games team.

Many Criticize the Upcoming Las Vegas Event

As the use of performance-enhancing drugs is heavily restricted, or often completely banned, in professional sports, many have come to criticize Aron D’Souza’s venture. In a statement, the World Anti-Doping Agency said that the use of performance-enhancing drugs has historically inflicted severe physical and mental harm on numerous athletes, with some even losing their lives. 

The Enhanced Games are also drawing significant attention and controversy because of their high-profile backers. The most recent funding round, reportedly worth millions, includes investment from 1789 Capital, a firm headed by Donald Trump Jr., Omeed Malik, and Chris Buskirk.

Additional leading investors include Apeiron Investment Group and Karatage, a hedge fund with interests in cryptocurrency and artificial intelligence. A promotional video announcing the funding appears to imply an endorsement from Donald Trump. D’Souza characterized the involvement of investors aligned with Donald Trump as a natural alignment. He noted that he has previously collaborated with several members of the current presidential administration and, according to him, their endorsement of the Enhanced Games is more important than any investment.