TRISTAN EVELYN WINS AR THE INAUGURAL ENHANCEMENT GAMES

by David Harris

Barbadian Tristan Evelyn won the women’s 100 metres sprint in 11.25 seconds (inside her personal best of 11.14 seconds) at the inaugural Enhancement Games in Las Vegas on Sunday night. A two-time Olympian, Evelyn, 28, represented Barbados at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and the 2024 Olympics in Paris. She is the current holder of the national 100m record and the indoor 200m.

Competing as a confirmed non-enhanced (drug free) athlete, Evelyn pocketed the first prize of US$250,000. Shania Collins of the United States came second in a time of 11.43 seconds, and her compatriot Taylor Anderson who clocked 11.48 seconds placed third.

“I can’t put it into words”, an emotional Evelyn said after the race. “I am just so grateful. This means everything to me. This is my childhood dream coming through. I believed in my ability. For a lot of years, I doubted myself but this time around I wanted to be confident and believe in the work I put in. This proves that winning takes more than chemistry”.

The Enhance Games were held for one day in $50 million arena constructed in a parking lot at Resort World casino and resort complex; and were controversially label as the steroid Olympics because performance enhancing drugs were permitted.

In March this year sports physician, and chairman of the National Anti-Doping Commission of Barbados Dr Adrian Lorde, condemned the Games while delivering the feature address at the Barbados Cricket Association Annual Awards Ceremony at the Hilton Hotel.

Lorde, a director of the Barbados Olympic Association, warned athletes that “there are no shortcuts to excellence”.

He emphasized that choosing enhancements meant athletes “risk their health, integrity and legacy for short term gain”.

Evelyn declined to participate in the Games’ protocol that permitted the supervised use of performance enhancing substances; and in interviews before the race; defended her decision to take part in the Games, citing the life changing prize money.

“I carry with me to the Enhanced Games, the love that I had for the sport since I was a little girl. It offers me financial stability. I will be able financially to pitch in a lot more with my family”. Evelyn said.