Christian Angermayer, the German billionaire behind the controversial Enhanced Games, is confident that his vision for a drug-friendly sporting event is here to stay. Speaking ahead of the inaugural event in Las Vegas, Angermayer defended the concept, which allows athletes to use performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) under medical supervision, labeling critics as uninformed or protecting their own interests.
From Dinosaurs to Doping
Angermayer, who made his fortune in biotech, bitcoin, and psychedelics, is no stranger to controversy. He also owns the world's largest triceratops skull, which he plans to install in his London apartment. But his most audacious project yet is the Enhanced Games, dubbed the "Steroid Olympics" by detractors. According to an Enhanced Games study, 91% of the 42 athletes competing will use testosterone, 79% human growth hormone, 41% EPO, and 29% anabolic steroids.
A Vision for the Future
Angermayer believes the Enhanced Games represent the future of sport, arguing that medically approved drugs can be used safely to enhance performance and improve health. He points to the success of GLP-1s in treating obesity as an example of how such substances can become mainstream. "I don't understand why people limit medicine only for treating an illness," he said. "Why not use medically approved drugs, with a doctor, to help you achieve your goal?"
Despite criticism from the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), which called the Enhanced Games "a dangerous and irresponsible concept," and US Anti-Doping CEO Travis Tygart, who dismissed it as a "clown show," Angermayer remains undeterred. He claims the backlash has saved his organization billions in marketing, noting that a survey found 61% of Americans had heard of the Enhanced Games, compared to 42% for LIV Golf after spending $5 billion.
Defending Safety
Angermayer insists that the substances used in the Enhanced Games are safe when taken under medical supervision. He argues that the risks are exaggerated, pointing to the lack of widespread athlete deaths from PED use. When confronted with the deaths of cyclists in the 1990s linked to EPO, he pushed back, saying he wasn't sure that was the primary cause. He also dismissed comparisons to East German athletes who were given drugs without consent, calling it a different situation.
Angermayer himself uses testosterone replacement therapy (250mg per week) and tesamorelin, a peptide approved for HIV-associated lipodystrophy. He claims that moderate use of human growth hormone is healthy for people over 30, contrary to WADA's warnings about diabetes, heart problems, and abnormal growth.
A Bet on the Future
Angermayer is confident the Enhanced Games will thrive, even suggesting future editions might feature aging sports stars competing while enhanced. When asked if he sees himself as a supervillain or pioneer, he replied, "I'm definitely not a supervillain, for one reason: I brought back psychedelics after they were banned. Their whole message is it's all about love and being not a dick."
Despite skepticism, Angermayer's track record suggests he may succeed. As he put it, "History suggests the man who pays bounty hunters to find dinosaurs will collect."
