Explainer: Enhanced Games – Can steroid-boosted athletes outshine the Olympics?

German billionaire, Christian Angermayer, who is well-known for his unusual ventures and well-known connections, is supporting a new initiative that seeks to upend the Olympic Games. Under medical supervision, athletes will be able to use performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) during the Enhanced Games, which are scheduled to begin in 2025. Angermayer believes this is a multibillion dollar idea, spurred on by a chat he had with entrepreneur Aron D’Souza.

What is the Enhanced Games?

The Enhanced Games is an Olympic-style sporting competition where athletes competing from all around the world display their skills in their individual sports. The concept, proposed in 2024, by the Australian businessman, Aron D’Souza, will feature sporting activities in athletics, aquatics, gymnastics, strength and combat.

“Let’s be clear. Drug testing is about fairness, not safety. The Enhanced Games aim to be the safest sporting event in the world. At the Enhanced Games, we prioritise athlete safety. In partnership with top scientists and clinicians, we are developing a full-system medical pre-competition screening protocol – to protect athletes competing in the Enhanced Games,” Dr D’Souza said on the Enhanced Games website.

Investment and Vision

Angermayer has contributed $2.5 million to the project with additional support from Balaji Srinivasan and Peter Thiel. A $1 million prize will be awarded in the Enhanced Games to those who break world records in the 50-meter freestyle swimming and 100-meter sprint. Regardless of innate ability, Angermayer thinks that viewers are more interested in seeing the fastest person.

Broadcast Plans and Financial Goals

The games will be aired live, possibly from a set or an arena. The franchise may be valued between $5 and $10 billion, according to the London-based business, which hopes to fund $300 million. Angermayer, who sees it as a significant new sports franchise, said he is upbeat about its prospects, in an interview with Forbes.

Diverse Portfolio and Controversies

Angermayer has a wide range of investments in his portfolio, ranging from hallucinogenic drugs and cryptocurrency to dinosaur relics. Well-known for his networking abilities, he has experienced both triumphs and controversies. Interestingly, he arranged a $1.1 billion investment in Wirecard that ultimately failed. Angermayer keeps innovating and investing in cutting-edge projects in spite of obstacles.

Background and Early Success

Angermayer, who was raised in a small German village, left college early to co-found Ribopharma, which subsequently joined the publicly traded Alnylam. By the age of 25, this early achievement had made him a multimillionaire. His relationships—which include a collaboration with Rwanda’s Paul Kagame—have been crucial to his investing approaches.

Futuristic Investments and Personal Passions

Angermayer has a strong interest in cutting-edge technologies, such as psychedelics for treating mental illness and studies on longevity. In addition, he owns a sizable amount of Bitcoin and is an advocate of digital currencies and anti-aging research. His love of dinosaurs has inspired him to gather priceless fossils, which he views as both a hobby and an investment.

Current Challenges and Optimism

Although there have been some recent investment downturns, like the one with ATAI Life Sciences, Angermayer is optimistic about the future. He is still experimenting with new concepts, such as possible involvement in the transgender rights movement and the impact of celebrity culture. Angermayer’s strategy combines creative thinking with an acute awareness of new trends.