Roku recently announced it will live-stream the inaugural Enhanced Games on May 24 from Resorts World in Las Vegas. These games feature select athletes competing with performance-enhancing drugs. This marks a major event for streaming enthusiasts who are interested in new kinds of sports coverage.
Athletes will compete in swimming, track, and weightlifting for individual cash prizes of $250,000. There is a $1 million award for setting a new world record. The event describes itself as an elite competition that aims to “celebrate athletic excellence.” In addition, it seeks to explore the limits of human performance through major streaming exposure.
Participants, include Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson from “Game of Thrones,” British Olympic medalist Ben Proud, American Olympic medalist Fred Kerley, and Olympic weightlifter Boady Santavy, have trained in the UAE using FDA-approved substances such as anabolic steroids, testosterone, human growth hormone (HGH), and stimulants under strict medical supervision.
Enhanced Games Procedures
Medical professionals monitor enhanced competitors to ensure safety and collect data. This positions the event as a “clinical trial” for human enhancement. All athletes participated in a 16-week approved clinical trial during training in the UAE. Therefore, competitors may choose to compete naturally or through the Enhanced Medical Program. This makes the event a unique highlight in sports streaming this year.
Olympic gold medalist swimmer Hunter Armstrong of the U.S. and sprinter Tristan Evelyn of Barbados will compete as non-enhanced athletes against the enhanced field.
“We look forward to bringing Roku users across North America the excitement and energy of this one-of-a-kind competition,” said Joe Franzetta, head of sports for Roku. “Congratulations to Enhanced Games on their inaugural event, and we’re excited to work together to bring this live event to millions of viewers.”
Predictably, the event has drawn criticism from global sports organizations, including the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC), who consider the concept dangerous and contrary to the integrity of sport. Games is a Van Wagner production in association with Lionsgate Alternative Television.
Eric Butler is a Contributor for Dice City Sports. You can follow him on Instagram and X via @ReportandOpine
