Enhanced Games releases PED usage data

Enhanced said on May 20 that it had released aggregate substance-use data from a clinical study tied to the inaugural Enhanced Games, the Las Vegas competition that permits athletes to use performance-enhancing drugs under medical supervision. The company said the study covered 36 of the 42 athletes due to compete, and that two of those 36 were competing naturally. SwimSwam, citing the company’s release, reported that the data showed widespread use of testosterone, human growth hormone and stimulants ahead of the event. The inaugural competition is scheduled for May 24 at Resorts World Las Vegas. ### Which numbers did the organizers release? Enhanced said 91% of athletes in the study used testosterone or testosterone esters, 79% used human growth hormone and 62% used stimulants. The company said athletes in the study were allowed to consider substances across five approved categories, including testosterone esters, anabolic agents, peptides and growth factors, metabolic modulators and stimulants. (prnewswire.com) SwimSwam reported on May 21 that the figures came from a 12-week trial period ahead of the Games. The outlet also reported that the study description said the treatment period could last up to 25 weeks, followed by a five-year health-monitoring period. ### How many athletes are actually in the study? (prnewswire.com) Enhanced said 36 of the 42 athletes scheduled to compete took part in the clinical study. Of those 36 athletes, the company said two are competing naturally, while six athletes did not participate in the study at all. (swimswam.com) SwimSwam reported that two of the six athletes outside the study are also competing naturally, which would put the total at four of 42 athletes, or about 9.5%, competing without performance-enhancing drugs. Individual athlete protocols will not be made public, Enhanced said. ### What does Enhanced say the study covers? (prnewswire.com) Enhanced said its Institutional Review Board-approved clinical study has been posted to ClinicalTrials.gov under the acronym “ASCEND001.” The company described the program as part of its Enhanced Medical Program, under which athletes could consider FDA-approved substances prescribed by doctors and undergo continuous medical screenings. (swimswam.com) The company said only legal substances under U.S. Food and Drug Administration guidelines were studied, and that no peptides on the FDA’s Category 2 banned list were included. Enhanced also said the interventional phase of the trial had concluded and that a five-year observational monitoring period was beginning. (prnewswire.com) ### What exactly are the Enhanced Games this weekend? Enhanced’s event page says the inaugural Games will take place on May 24, 2026, at Resorts World Las Vegas in a custom-built competition complex. The company says the program includes swimming, track, weightlifting and strongman, with 40 athletes and 2,500 invite-only spectators. Yahoo Sports described the project this week as a competition built around the idea that athletes can use performance-enhancing drugs to push beyond conventional limits. (prnewswire.com) MIT Technology Review reported on May 22 that organizers have said competitors will only take substances approved by the FDA. (enhanced.com) ### When will organizers say more? Enhanced said it would not comment further on the aggregate totals until a scheduled press conference on May 23 at 1:15 p.m. Pacific time. The company said about 200 credentialed media from 20 countries were expected to attend. (sports.yahoo.com) May 24 is the date listed on Enhanced’s event page for the inaugural competition in Las Vegas. The company’s site says the Games will conclude that day with a closing concert by The Killers. (enhanced.com) (prnewswire.com)