A Swimmer Broke a World Record at the Enhanced Games
The 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...
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