In an exclusive interview with To Vima, Greek swimmer Kristian Gkolomeev discusses his controversial decision to join the Enhanced Games, a competition that permits the use of performance-enhancing substances. Just weeks after announcing his retirement from professional swimming in Greece, Gkolomeev broke an unofficial world record in the 50-meter freestyle, completing the race in 20.91 seconds—two seconds faster than the previous record held by Brazilian César Cielo for 16 years. He attributes his performance to the use of banned substances over a 12-week period and the wearing of an orange full-body suit, prohibited in official competitions since 2010. Gkolomeev explains that his participation in the Enhanced Games is a personal choice, aiming to challenge the boundaries of human performance and to make a statement about the evolving nature of sports.
Το ΒΗΜΑ, 08 June 2025
