What to know about the Donald Trump Jr.-backed Enhanced Games : NPR

Key Points:

• The Enhanced Games, a privately-funded sports competition allowing the use of performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs), will take place in Las Vegas with over 40 athletes competing in swimming, track, and weightlifting, offering a total prize pool of $25 million.
• The event permits FDA-approved PEDs such as testosterone, human growth hormone, and stimulants, with 91% of athletes reportedly using testosterone, raising significant health and ethical concerns from medical experts.
• The games are financially backed by Donald Trump Jr.'s venture capital firm and tech billionaire Peter Thiel, with organizers aiming to promote athletic enhancement under medical supervision while selling related supplements and conducting research.
• Prominent athletes, including Olympic medalists Cody Miller, Hunter Armstrong, Ben Proud, and Fred Kerley, are participating, though some have stated they will not use PEDs during the competition.
• The event faces widespread criticism from sports and medical authorities, including the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency and the International Olympic Committee, who warn of serious health risks and condemn the event as undermining the integrity of sports.