Kristian Gkolomeev Breaks 50m Freestyle World Record by 0.07 Second at Enhanced Games
Updated
Updated · The Verge · May 27
Kristian Gkolomeev Breaks 50m Freestyle World Record by 0.07 Second at Enhanced Games
4 articles · Updated · The Verge · May 27
Gkolomeev delivered the only world record of the inaugural Enhanced Games, edging Cam McEvoy’s men’s 50m freestyle mark by 0.07 second in the final event in Las Vegas.
42 athletes competed across swimming, track and field, and weightlifting for up to $1 million in bonuses, but most record attempts failed and several clean athletes beat enhanced rivals.
Enhanced said 91% of athletes used testosterone and 79% used human growth hormone under medical supervision, framing the event as a five-year clinical study on performance-enhancing drugs.
Critics from anti-doping bodies and academia said the Games science-washed doping, questioned the study design and long-term health risks, and online skeptics challenged the timing display behind Gkolomeev’s record.
The invite-only, roughly $50 million event drew peak YouTube viewership of 57,000, while organizers said they plan annual editions and broader biohacking-related expansion.
As biohacking goes mainstream, are the Enhanced Games the future of sport or a looming public health crisis?
Is the 'Steroid Olympics' a genuine scientific study or a dangerous marketing scheme for performance-enhancing drugs?
The Enhanced Games Revolution: Gkolomeev’s 20.81s Swim, Record Prize Money, and the Future of Performance-Enhanced Sport
Overview
On May 24, 2026, Kristian Gkolomeev made history at the Enhanced Games by swimming the men’s 50m freestyle in 20.81 seconds, earning an unofficial world record and a life-changing $1 million bonus, plus $250,000 for winning. This event showcased the Enhanced Games’ controversial approach, allowing performance-enhancing drugs and supersuits, which led to his record being rejected by traditional sporting bodies. The huge financial rewards and relaxed rules drew attention to the sharp contrast with established competitions, sparking debate about fairness, athlete welfare, and the future direction of elite sports.