Las Vegas, United States. Greek swimmer Kristian Gkolomeev earned a $1 million bonus for beating a world record as the drug-friendly Enhanced Games made its debut in Las Vegas on Sunday. Sprinter Fred Kerley won a low-key 100m race at the event held in a casino car park.
Gkolomeev sets unofficial mark
Gkolomeev posted a time of 20.81 seconds in the 50 metres freestyle, 0.07 seconds faster than the official world record held by Australia’s Cameron McEvoy. The result will not enter the official record books because competitors’ performances are considered illegal by global sporting authorities.
Enhanced Games rules
The Enhanced Games allows athletes to use substances banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency, and swimmers are also permitted to wear polyurethane super-suits banned in 2010. Organisers hailed Gkolomeev’s swim as a world record.
Prize money and reaction
Gkolomeev also received $250,000 for winning the race. He had previously earned a $1 million world record bonus last year for a swim of 20.89 seconds in a super-suit, organisers said at the time.
The Bulgaria-born 32-year-old celebrated with his family by the Las Vegas pool, lifting his young son in the air and catching him as they marked the result. “Great race. I had a lot of fun. This is amazing,” Gkolomeev said. He added that he had made a mistake on the break-out and felt nervous, but said the rest of the swim was good. “I’m going to say it’s not bad at all,” he said of the prize money.