"Every great moment in history begins somewhere ... I believe in superhumanity."
The words of Aron D'Souza, President of the Enhanced Games, when speaking at the Second Conference on Human Enhancement at Oxford University last December.
The lucrative Enhanced Games are hugely controversial, with Shane Ryan, one of Ireland’s most decorated swimmers, this week becoming just the 11th athlete to announce his intention to participate.
His decision has led to widespread criticism, with Swim Ireland, Sport Ireland and Taoiseach Micheál Martin all expressing disappointment following Ryan’s announcement on Monday night.
Speaking on RTÉ’s Drivetime, Ryan said that although he is aware it is a controversial decision, the financial rewards are too good to turn down.
"I have done everything I could for Ireland and I competed clean. I 100%, and will always 100%, support clean athletes competing for the Olympic Games, there’s no question about it," he said.
"It is a financial decision, but also at the same time, it's an opportunity for me to be part of something that's new and exciting.
"What I need to do now is actually put myself first. Financially, I’m making over six figures for nine months, and then potentially making $600,000 when it comes down the line."
We need your consent to load this rte-player contentWe use rte-player to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content.Manage Preferences
But what are the Enhanced Games?
The brainchild of Mr D’Souza, an Australian technology entrepreneur with a background in law, the Enhanced Games describe themselves as "a global sporting event that redefines the boundaries of athletic achievement by embracing scientific innovation".
Simply put, athletes participating in the event will be allowed to take performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs), after undergoing monitoring of the heart, brain, blood and muscles.
According to the Enhanced Games, an Independent Medical Commission consisting of cardiologists, endocrinologists, neuroscientists and pharmacologists, will oversee all medical protocols of the competition, and advise on the safety and eligibility of the athletes.
Class A drugs like cocaine and heroin will not be permitted.
Athletes will also have the choice to compete without taking PEDs.
Pencilled in for May 2026, the event will take place over a four-day period in Resorts World Las Vegas in a purpose-built arena.
Swimming, track and field and weightlifting are the chosen sports, and the new arena will have a 50-metre four-lane pool, a six-lane sprint track and a bespoke weightlifting stage.
The events will be limited to 50 and 100 metre freestyle and butterfly in swimming, 100 metre sprint, 100 metre and 110 metre hurdles and snatch and clean-and-jerk in weightlifting.
Speaking in May at an event to confirm the details of the games, Mr D’Souza said: "We're embracing the full spectrum of human potential, and that begins with transparency, science and choice.
"We live in a world transformed by science - from vaccines to AI. But sport has stood still - until today.
"We are not updating the rulebook - we are rewriting it."
Financial backing and incentives
According to its website, the Enhanced Games are privately funded and will operate independently of taxpayers' money.
Some big hitters have put their weight behind the games, including 1789 capital, a US venture capital group based in Florida, which lists Donald Trump Jr among their partners.
"The Enhanced Games represent the future - real competition, real freedom, and real records being smashed. This is about excellence, innovation, and American dominance on the world stage - something the MAGA movement is all about," said Mr Trump Jr.
Also among the financial backers of the Enhanced Games is PayPal co-founder Peter Thiel.
As mentioned by Ryan, the Enhanced Games are making it difficult for athletes to say no, with substantial pay outs for those who choose to join.
Each event will have a prize pot of $500,000, with $250,000 awarded to the winner of each event.
If a world record is broken in the 100m sprint (track) or 50m freestyle (swimming), the winner will receive $1m.
There will also be appearance fees for all participating athletes.
The Enhanced Games has already shelled out its first million, after Greek swimmer Kristian Gkolomeev unofficially broke the world record in the 50m freestyle earlier this year, clocking a time of 20.89 seconds.
The previous record was held by Brazilian swimmer Cesar Cielo at 20.91 seconds, a record he held since 2009.
Speaking afterwards, Gkolomeev said that this was about "breaking records" and "now the whole world can see what’s possible".
Who is taking part?
So far, 11 athletes have signed up to take part in the Enhanced Games.
Two weightlifters have joined, Canadian Boady Santavy and American Wesley Kitts, while American Fred Kerley is the only person who will be taking to the track so far.
Swimming has had the biggest uptake, with eight athletes registered.
There are some notable names amongst them, including American swimmer Megan Romano, who is the only female athlete registered to date, and UK swimmer Ben Proud.
Proud was a silver medallist in the 50m freestyle at the most recent Olympic Games in Paris, and also has two gold medals from the 2022 Commonwealth Games, winning the 50m freestyle and butterfly events.
Australian James Magnussen is also a recognisable name, a two-time medallist from the Olympic Games in London in 2012 and a bronze medal winner at the Rio Olympics in 2016 with the Australian 4x100 metre freestyle relay team.
Both Proud and Magnussen had confirmed their retirement from swimming before declaring their intentions to participate, as did Ryan.
Less than a week later, he announced he would be taking part in the Enhanced Games.
Backlash and criticism
There has been both national and international criticism of the Enhanced Games.
In June, World Aquatics passed a bylaw with immediate effect to ban any members from participating in events that encourage the use of PEDs.
The statement read: "Individuals who support, endorse, or participate in sporting events that embrace the use of scientific advancements or other practices that may include prohibited substances and/or prohibited methods will not be eligible to hold positions with World Aquatics or to participate in any World Aquatics competitions, events, or other activities."
World Aquatics added that the bans would apply to athletes, coaches, team officials, medical support staff and administrators, and that decisions on ineligibility would be made on a case-by-case basis.
The Enhanced Games described the ban as "a desperate attempt to maintain an outdated monopoly".
"We stand with athletes and their support teams. Always," said Mr D’Souza in response.
"This ban isn’t about protecting athletes. It’s about protecting a monopoly."
Questions have also been asked about the medical risks to the athletes.
"They can be damaging, maybe initially, maybe immediately, maybe in the process of taking them, but also potentially long-term into the future," said Sport Ireland Chief Executive Dr Una May on RTÉ’s Nine O'Clock News.
"We know that some of these drugs could actually ultimately lead to a premature death in an individual.
"There are very, very serious health concerns for us."
Back home, Ryan’s decision to join has been making waves.
Watch: Taoiseach 'disappointed' at Irish swimmer's decision to join Enhanced Games
Both Sport Ireland and Swim Ireland expressed their disappointment at his intentions, releasing separate statements on Monday evening.
Speaking on RTE's Morning Ireland, former Irish Olympic swimmer Nick O’Hare described Ryan’s decision as a "huge mistake" and said that it may damage his prospects as a future coach.
The Taoiseach also weighed in on the discussion, saying that it he believes that it was sending "the wrong message" to young people.
As the criticism and arguments rumble on, Las Vegas is bracing itself for the controversial Enhanced Games on Memorial Weekend next May, as its president claims: "The time is now."
