Greek swimmer Kristian Gkolomeev got a $1 million bonus as the only athlete to perform better than an official world record in the first edition of the controversial Enhanced Games where doping substances are permitted.
Gkolomeev clocked 20.81 seconds over 50 metres freestyle which was one of 22 events in athletics, swimming and weightlifting in Las Vegas on Sunday.
He got $250,000 for the victory and €1 million for the time which was better than the world record but will not enter the record books.
Organizers had hoped for a many top results at the controversial event where athletes were effectively encouraged to use performance-enhancing substances which are strictly banned in official competitions.
But Gkolomeev was the only one to go below a world record as former 100m world champion Fred Kerley of the US for instance was four-tenths slower than the record with a modest time of 9.97 seconds.
Organizers said that of the 42 participants 38 used doping substances under medical supervision in eight weeks leading up to the event, with 91% using the steroid testosterone and 71% Human Growth Hormone.
Kerley said he was among the four who didn’t use normally banned substances.
Winners also included German swimmer Marius Kusch who topped the 100m butterfly in a time faster than his official personal best.