Enhanced Games: Gkolomeev ‘beats’ 50m freestyle world record at drug-fuelled contest
All other competitors fall short at event with performance-enhancing substances backed by billionaire Peter Thiel and Donald Trump Jnr
Greek swimmer Kristian Gkolomeev was the only athlete to beat a world record at the Enhanced Games in Las Vegas on Sunday, winning the men’s 50m freestyle at the divisive event where competitors were allowed to take performance-enhancing substances that have sparked health concerns.
His time of 20.81 seconds – which is not considered official – came in the final event of the night, sparing the blushes of organisers who had predicted that multiple world records would be surpassed due to an open and sophisticated doping regime.
Gkolomeev, who was also wearing a synthetic “supersuit” long banned at events such as the Olympics, went faster than Australia’s Cameron McEvoy’s mark of 20.88 seconds set in March.
“It was a great race ... I got it,” said Gkolomeev, who pocketed a US$1 million bonus for the unofficial record. “I’m going to continue. Maybe next year I’ll break it again.”
The Enhanced Games have been denounced as dangerous by athletics governing bodies, who said they would not recognise records set at the event.
But participants, lured by prize money of up to US$1 million for surpassing world records, and US$250,000 for event wins, included Olympic medallist swimmers James Magnussen, Cody Miller and Ben Proud.