It began with a question. One simple, defiant question. “Shouldn’t an individual with free and informed consent—an adult—be able to make choices about their own body?” That was Aron D’Souza, CEO and founder of Enhanced Games, speaking on The Joe Rogan Experience. His words weren’t just a rhetorical flourish. They were a declaration of intent. A line in the sand. And with that, the simmering controversy surrounding the most radical idea in modern sports was back in the headlines—louder and more divisive than ever.

The Enhanced Games, first proposed in 2023, are not your ordinary sporting event, far from it. Unlike the Olympics or any mainstream international competition, these Games promise something no other event dares to offer: no bans on performance-enhancing drugs. In D’Souza’s vision, it’s not cheating—it’s freedom. It’s science meeting sport in its most unfiltered form. Critics, however, have been relentless.

Travis Tygart, CEO of the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, didn’t mince words, calling it “a dangerous clown show.” Two-time Olympic champion Kieren Perkins labeled the idea “borderline criminal.” And World Athletics president Lord Sebastian Coe? He responded with a level of bluntness that reporters declined to publish verbatim. Yet, the Enhanced Games have refused to back down. If anything, they’ve only grown bolder. The skeptics called it a stunt, a mirage, something that would fizzle before it ever flickered. But then came the posts—cryptic, theatrical, and buzzing with promise.

On May 20, the official X (formerly Twitter) account of the Enhanced Games delivered a bold proclamation: “Something is happening. A line will be crossed. A limit – redefined. On Wednesday, May 21, Enhanced will make an announcement that changes everything.” The teaser came with international broadcast times—Los Angeles at 13:00, Dubai at midnight, and cities across the globe marked like beacons waiting to be lit. A day earlier, Christian Angermayer, co-founder of the Games and founder of Apeiron Investment Group, only added fuel to the fire: “This Wednesday @enhanced_games are going to blow your mind with incredible announcements… I promise, whatever you expect, we will exceed your expectations.” So what is the world waiting for?

The speculation is electric. Some believe the first host city will be revealed. Cities like London, Los Angeles, Tokyo, and Rio de Janeiro are top contenders—each one iconic, each one potentially willing to play host to this most controversial of spectacles. But there’s a catch: the event will not be held in any country that’s part of the European Union. The regulations there are simply too strict, too aligned with WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency) policies. And the date? 

Still unknown. Whispers float around 2025, 2026, maybe even 2027. What is confirmed is that the Games will feature athletics, aquatic events, and strength-based competitions—essentially the very sports where performance enhancement can shine or shame, depending on who you ask. But the most significant sign that the Enhanced Games were more than just a headline-grabbing idea came last February.

Someone quite significant financed the Enhanced Games 

If there were still doubts about whether the Enhanced Games were serious, those doubts just got a multi-million-dollar answer. In a move that sent shockwaves through both the sporting and political worlds, 1789 Capital—a high-powered investment firm with deep political ties—has officially thrown its weight behind the controversial “no-limits” sporting event. And the headlines wrote themselves: Donald Trump Jr., the eldest son of the U.S. President and a partner at 1789 Capital since late 2024, is now one of the faces backing the so-called “Steroid Olympics.”

While the exact size of the investment remains under wraps, insiders describe it as “several million dollars”—enough to make even the most skeptical observers take notice. The Enhanced Games didn’t waste a second capitalizing on the moment. On Thursday, February 13, the organization unveiled a dramatic video on their official website, trumpeting the financial backing with cinematic flair and the promise of a revolution in sports. But Trump Jr. isn’t the only big name behind this muscular movement.

Peter Thiel, billionaire tech investor and co-founder of PayPal, has also stepped into the arena. Known for betting on bold, disruptive ideas—like seasteading, anti-aging tech, and early Facebook—Thiel’s involvement sends a loud, unmistakable signal: the Enhanced Games aren’t just a philosophical curiosity anymore. They’re being positioned as a serious, Silicon Valley-style disruptor. So, with capital now flowing in and elite names from politics and tech lining up, the Enhanced Games are inching closer to turning their radical vision into reality. It’s no longer just about athletes using performance enhancers—it’s about power, influence, and the freedom to rewrite the rules. And with the next big announcement set for May 21, the stakes—and the curiosity—have never been higher.