With the conclusion of the recent Olympics, whispers and rumors about behind-the-scenes antics and unconventional enhancement methods—such as male ski jumpers allegedly inflating parts of their bodies to improve performance—have circulated. However, the newly emerging “Enhanced Games” presents a radically different approach to athletic competition, one that embraces performance-enhancing substances under strict regulation and transparency. Often branded by critics as the “Steroid Olympics,” the Enhanced Games openly allow the use of performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs), but its organizers argue that the event prioritizes fairness, honesty, and, above all, athlete safety.
The CEO of the Enhanced Games, Max Martin, recently spoke with Fox News Digital to dispel common misconceptions about the event. One of the biggest misunderstandings, Martin said, is the assumption that athletes participating in the Enhanced Games recklessly jeopardize their health purely for financial gain. Contrary to this belief, Martin emphasized that the event is structured specifically to protect athletes from the dangers typically associated with unsupervised PED use.
“Enhancements can be dangerous when they’re abused—too high doses, dangerous drug interactions, and lack of medical oversight,” Martin explained. “But that’s exactly what we’re against. We want to circumvent those risks by ensuring everything is transparent and regulated.” This means that every athlete’s data is meticulously reviewed by medical professionals who provide guidance on what substances can be safely used and which should be avoided. Indeed, some athletes have had to discontinue certain enhancements after medical evaluation deemed them unsafe or insufficiently researched.
Martin contends that this medical oversight could make the Enhanced Games safer than traditional Olympic competitions. “In many cases, Olympic athletes are taking substances with unknown effects on their bodies, often hiding their use behind masking agents, which can be extremely dangerous,” Martin said. “In our event, athletes use substances with well-studied safety and benefit profiles, and they undergo constant monitoring, so any health issues are detected immediately.”
He also highlighted a systemic problem in mainstream sports: while current anti-doping tests focus primarily on catching cheats, they often overlook an athlete’s health and safety. “Some of our athletes didn’t even have health insurance despite competing internationally and winning medals for their countries,” Martin noted. “Our obsession is making sure every athlete is healthy and safe to compete.”
The Enhanced Games program also tailors enhancements to the specific needs and goals of individual athletes and their sports. For example, Australian swimmer James Magnussen receives targeted enhancements that improve his performance without turning him into a bodybuilder. “The enhancements are more like fine-tuning—icing on the cake rather than the main ingredient,” Martin said.
In addition to medical oversight, the Enhanced Games offers substantial financial incentives. Winners receive $250,000, non-winners also receive $250,000, and any athlete who breaks a world record earns a $1 million prize. This prize structure may be influencing other sports organizations; for instance, World Aquatics recently announced it would give Olympic winners $50,000 starting in 2024. Martin interprets this as a sign that traditional sports bodies are starting to recognize the value of properly compensating athletes, especially in light of the Enhanced Games’ approach.
One high-profile athlete competing in the Enhanced Games is Hafþor Júlíus Björnsson, famously known as “The Mountain” from the television series “Game of Thrones.” Björnsson, a 6-foot-9, 400-plus-pound strongman with 32 international titles, will attempt to break his own deadlift world record of 1,124 pounds at the event. Björnsson praised the Enhanced Games’ focus on health and safety, saying, “They conduct comprehensive health checks, blood tests, and constant monitoring. I feel like I’m in much better hands than when I was managing everything on my own.” He expressed enthusiasm about the opportunity to compete in an environment where his well-being is prioritized.
Transparency is a cornerstone of the Enhanced Games. According to Martin, all athletes, including those who choose not to use enhancements, compete on a level playing field because the event operates openly. “Athletes know exactly what they’re up against, and everyone has access to the same medical program,” he said. This openness contrasts sharply with traditional sports, where athletes often suspect competitors of cheating but lack proof. “In our games, even if you come in second without enhancements, you can be proud because you know the person who beat you made a conscious choice to enhance,