The steroid olympics
5/29/202626 min
The Enhanced Games are kind of like the Olympics except everyone is on performance enhancing drugs. The organizers want to push back on the shame of doping. But they're also trying to sell you something. This episode was produced by Ariana Aspuru, edited by Jolie Myers, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by David Tatasciore, and hosted by Noel King. Deadlifter Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson competes in the Enhanced Games in Las Vegas. Photo by Greg Doherty/Getty Images for Enhanced. Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. New Vox members get $20 off their membership right now. Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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First 90 secondsNoel King· Host0:00
[upbeat music] Last weekend's Enhanced Games in Las Vegas, think the Olympics on drugs, organized by a company that sells performance enhancers used by the athletes who were, in fact, real athletes.
Chris Gayomali· Guest0:13
Most of them had the bad luck of turning 30, but you know, they, they still feel like they have a little bit more in the tank.
Noel King· Host0:20
It was a mess.
Chris Gayomali· Guest0:21
It was the kookiest thing I've ever been to in person. Um, they built this large outdoor stadium in Resorts World, which is this, uh, collection of casinos over there, but they neglected to put a roof over it.
Noel King· Host0:35
It was over 90 degrees.
Chris Gayomali· Guest0:37
The sprinters were just, like, asked to race on this, like, hot track that I don't think you can, like, put human skin onto, and then the swimmers did fine. You know, you're in the pool. And, like, the atmosphere was less the Olympic Games and more like a Tao pool party, I think.
Noel King· Host0:52
On Today Explained, the organizers of the Enhanced Games want to enhance you.
Speaker 20:58
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