Today, the Enhanced Games made history. At an electrifying announcement event held at Resorts World Las Vegas, the revolutionary sports organization confirmed that the inaugural Enhanced Games will take place in Las Vegas over Memorial Day Weekend 2026. This announcement marks the official beginning of a new era: one where science and sport converge to redefine human limits.
Aron D’Souza, President and Founder of the Enhanced Games, took to the stage to reveal the Games’ vision, location, and timeline. “The Enhanced Games are not just a competition – they’re a movement,” said D’Souza. “We’re embracing the full spectrum of human potential, and that begins with transparency, science, and choice. The Time Is Now.”
The announcement also featured a world-first: Olympic swimmer Kristian Gkolomeev broke the long-standing 50m freestyle world record with a time of 20.89 seconds, surpassing the 2009 benchmark held by Cesar Cielo. He also set a second historic milestone: becoming the fastest man in history to swim the 50m freestyle in jammers, with a time of 21.03, beating the former record of 21.04.
In recognition, Gkolomeev was awarded a $1 million prize – the first payout of its kind under the Enhanced Games’ new athlete incentive model.
“This isn’t just about breaking records,” said Gkolomeev. “It’s about breaking limits. The Enhanced Games gave me the resources and the team to unlock a new level of performance – and now the whole world can see what’s possible.”
The day also saw the launch of a documentary featuring Kristian on his journey to the world record, alongside fellow Olympian James Magnussen and coach Brett Hawke. The hour-long documentary showcases the experiences of two athletes on their journey with Enhanced and is streaming on YouTube and enhanced.com.
The 2026 Enhanced Games will feature three core sports across a tightly curated schedule of high-performance events including:
- Swimming: 50m and 100m Freestyle, 50m and 100m Butterfly
- Track & Field: 100m Sprint, 100m/110m Hurdles
- Weightlifting: Snatch, Clean & Jerk
Each individual event will carry a total prize purse of $500,000, with $250,000 awarded to first place. In addition to this, Enhanced will offer appearance fees and record-breaking bonuses, including $1 million for breaking world records in the 100m sprint and 50m freestyle – the two definitive tests of raw human speed.
The events will take place at a purpose-built competition complex inside Resorts World Las Vegas, featuring a purpose-built four-lane 50-meter pool, a six-lane sprint track, and a bespoke weightlifting stage. Every event will be streamed globally in a fully immersive digital format designed to transform the way audiences experience sport.
At the heart of the Enhanced Games is a bold new model: the Performance Enhancement Protocol – a medically supervised, IRB-approved clinical framework that ensures all enhancements are safe, legal, and scientifically guided. Unlike traditional sporting bodies, Enhanced does not ban performance-enhancing substances – it brings them out of the shadows, with full transparency, safety, and medical oversight.
“We live in a world transformed by science – from vaccines to AI,” said D’Souza. “But sport has stood still. Until today. We are not updating the rulebook – we are rewriting it. And we’re doing it safely, ethically, and boldly.”
Enhanced also unveiled plans for a groundbreaking Enhanced Performance Products business. Launching in the US later this summer, the platform will offer the public access to scientifically validated performance and longevity enhancements. Through a telehealth experience, consumers will have access to a spectrum of products, from advanced supplements to medically supervised therapies. Rooted in the same rigorous science that supports Enhanced athletes, this new venture marks the beginning of a global effort to democratize human enhancement.
As Las Vegas lights up for Enhanced and the city prepares to become the global capital of superhumanity, the message is clear: the countdown has begun.
Related: Five KBW Ventures portfolio companies listed in TIME’s 2024 Top Greentech Companies ranking
