Your guide to the inaugural 'Steroid Olympics'

Two decorated Canadian athletes are among those competing at this weekend's inaugural Enhanced Games — which is either the future of sport or its downfall, depending on who you ask.

Here's everything you need to know about the competition, first introduced as a concept in June 2023, and already dubbed the "Doping Olympics" and the "Steroid Olympics."

The global multi-sport event, created by Australian businessman Aron D'Souza, allows athletes to compete while using performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) banned in traditional international sports. 

D'Souza revealed his mission at an event last May, calling the games "a movement."

"We're embracing the full spectrum of human potential, and that begins with transparency, science and choice."

What are the Enhanced Games?

Set against the glow of the Las Vegas strip, the event is scheduled this Sunday, with roughly 2,500 invite-only spectators expected to attend.

The winners of each event will be awarded $250,000 US, with $1 million US promised for those who break world records in the 100-metre sprint and 50-metre butterfly.

Of course, even if a record is broken, it will not be recognized by any traditional sports governing body.

Forty-two athletes from around the world are set to compete in the following events:

Two-time World's Strongest Man champion Mitchell Hooper and Pan Am/Commonwealth Games record holder Boady Santavy are the only two Canadians participating.

Santavay, who is also a two-time Olympic weightlifter, said he felt motivated to compete given his sport's long-documented doping issues — specifically, that he's competed clean against athletes using PEDs.

This, at least, is "a level playing field," Santavy told CBC Sports.

His comments touch on the central controversy