Athlete facing ban for 2028 Olympics after 'breaking two world records' and claiming $1 million prize

An athlete is facing an Olympics ban after 'breaking two world records' and claiming a $1 million prize.

Los Angeles host the next Olympics in 2028 following the Summer Games in Paris last year.

But before the Olympics sets up shop in the Californian city, the Enhanced Games will take place - with the first edition scheduled in Las Vegas in May 2026.

The Enhanced Games is a proposed multi-sport event that has been founded by Australian businessman Aron D'Souza and is backed by US president Donald Trump.

It would allow athletes to use performance-enhancing substances without being subject to drug testing.

The competition will be held annually and will initially consist of three sports - short-distance swimming, sprinting and weightlifting.

Athletes participating in the Enhanced Games will be allowed to use substances that are banned from the Olympics and there are huge cash bonuses on offer for those who deliver 'truly superhuman performance'.

The Enhanced Games claim Kristian Gkolomeev has broken the 50m freestyle world record. Image: Enhanced Games

Greek swimmer Kristian Gkolomeev has benefited from the bonus scheme, having won $1 million following his performance in a 50 metres freestyle time trial in the US in February.

Gkolomeev, who was fifth at the 2024 Olympics, swam it in 20.89 seconds, which is 0.02 seconds quicker than the world record set by Brazilian Cesar Cielo in 2009.

Separately, he swam 21.03 seconds in 'jammers', which are knee-length, tight-fitting swimsuits, which was 0.01 seconds faster than American Caeleb Dressel’s 2019 mark.

The Bulgarian-born swimmer received a $1 million bonus for 'breaking two world records' but World Aquatics, the sport's governing body, will not recognise his achievements.

Kristian Gkolomeev received a $1 million bonus for his showing in the pool. Image: Enhanced Games

Speaking last year, World Athletics president Seb Coe said any athletes taking part in the Enhanced Games will be 'banned for a long time'.

"Well, it’s b****cks isn’t it? I can’t really get excited about it," he exclaimed.

"There’s only one message, and that is if anybody is moronic enough to officially take part in it and they are in the traditional part of our sport, they’ll get banned for a long time.

"But I really don’t get sleepless nights about it. It’s not going to be a page turner."