Las Vegas native and Olympic medalist Cody Miller won both the 50- and 100-meter breaststroke events at the Enhanced Games. As a result, he earned $500,000. His performance in breaststroke impressed many fans at the competition.
Miller, 34, achieved a personal best of 26.55 seconds in the 50-meter race, surpassing Brazilian Felipe Miller’s 26.98. He later won the 100-meter event in 59.47, narrowly defeating Russian Evgenii Somov, who finished in 59.61. The two breaststroke races were highlights of the meet.
Miller expressed dissatisfaction with his 100-meter performance and said there is room for improvement in future events.
Miller’s History
Miller grew up in Las Vegas and attended Palo Verde High School from 2006 to 2010. He swam for the Sandpipers of Nevada Swim Club. This made the victories especially meaningful. The athlete won gold and bronze medals at the 2016 Olympic Games. He stated earlier this week that during the eight weeks leading up to the event, he used testosterone, human growth hormone, and oxandrolone, an anabolic steroid.
Miller said he plans to use the $500,000 prize to provide for his family’s future.
The Enhanced Games, referred to by some as the Steroid Olympics, took place Sunday at Resorts World. Athletes were permitted to use performance-enhancing substances as they competed to break records in swimming, track, and weightlifting. Of all the swimming disciplines, breaststroke proved especially competitive this year.
Although breaking world records was a primary goal, only swimmer Kristian Gkolomeev surpassed a world record, finishing the men’s 50-meter freestyle in 20.81 seconds, faster than the previous record of 20.88.
Of the 42 athletes, only four chose to compete without banned substances. These athletes were tested by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency during the week.
The event featured a $25 million prize pool. First place in each event received $250,000. Second place $125,000, third $75,000, and fourth $50,000. Athletes who broke a world record in the men’s or women’s 100-meter sprint or the 50-meter freestyle swimming event earned a $1 million bonus. Meanwhile, world records in other events earned a $250,000 bonus. Notably, the prize structure motivated many swimmers to focus on breaststroke for these potential rewards.
The games were held in a temporary open-air venue constructed on the east side of Resorts World, measuring 85 feet tall and 251 feet across.
Enhanced Games co-founder Christian Angermayer stated before the event that it would be disappointing if no world records were broken on Sunday.
Eric Butler is a Contributor for Dice City Sports. You can follow him on Instagram and X via @ReportandOpine
