Box Office Flop: 'Doping Olympics' Enhanced Games Estimated to Have Caused 85.5 Billion Won in Deficits

The Enhanced Games, which sparked controversy by legalizing doping and earning the moniker of the 'doping Olympics,' have reportedly suffered a box office flop alongside massive financial losses.

The sports media outlet Inside the Games reported on the 23rd (local time) that the Enhanced Games, which made their debut in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA last May, generated a deficit of $61.9 million (approx. 85.5 billion won).

Backed by heavy hitter investors such as Donald Trump Jr. and billionaire Peter Thiel, the Enhanced Group, which organized the event, achieved a corporate valuation of $1.2 billion last May and went public on the New York Stock Exchange via a backdoor listing.

However, after the tournament concluded, the stock price plummeted, plunging more than 80% compared to its value at the time of the listing.

While the organizers had boldly boasted that they would transcend the limits of human biology with the help of advanced science and drugs, the achievements from a sporting perspective were also dismal.

It was confirmed that 91% of the 42 athletes participating in the event used testosterone, 79% used human growth hormone (HGH), and 62% used stimulants.

Nevertheless, Christian Golomeev, who competed in the men's 50-meter freestyle, was the sole athlete—only 1 person—to surpass a world record (20.81 seconds).

Instead, in the men's 100-meter track event, Fred Kerley, a 'clean runner' who did not use any drugs, crossed the finish line in 9.97 seconds and comfortably defeated his doping-enhanced competitors.

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) strongly condemned the event from its inception as a "dangerous and irresponsible circus."

Even Lara Trump, the sister-in-law of investor Donald Trump Jr. and a Fox News host, remarked, "I apologize to the people. It was different from what was promised," making it difficult to shake off the label of a 'failed experiment.'

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.