German billionaire investor Christian Angermayer is staking his latest business venture on a proposition that has alarmed much of the sporting establishment: that the future of elite competition lies in the open use of performance-enhancing drugs under medical supervision.

Angermayer, whose investments have spanned biotechnology, cryptocurrencies and psychedelic medicine, is a leading supporter of the Enhanced Games, a controversial sporting event that permits athletes to use substances prohibited under conventional anti-doping rules.

Critics have labeled the project the “Steroid Olympics,” while its organizers argue it represents a new model for sport, health and human performance.The inaugural competition is scheduled to feature sprinting, swimming and weightlifting events.

Organizers say participating athletes will compete under a framework that allows the use of performance-enhancing substances, provided they are medically monitored.

According to data cited by Enhanced Games organizers, 36 of the 42 athletes entered in the event participated in a study examining drug use. Of those athletes, all but two reportedly used substances banned by traditional anti-doping authorities.

Organizers said 91% used testosterone, 79% human growth hormone, 41% erythropoietin (EPO) and 29% anabolic steroids.The figures underscore why the initiative has generated strong opposition from many sporting bodies, anti-doping officials and health experts, who have long warned about the risks associated with performance-enhancing drugs.

The Enhanced Games, however, argues that existing anti-doping systems have failed to eliminate drug use and that regulated enhancement offers a more transparent alternative.For Angermayer, the venture extends beyond sport.

He views the competition as a platform for broader acceptance of medical interventions aimed at improving performance, appearance and quality of life.Speaking about the concept, Angermayer questioned why medical treatments should be confined to addressing illness.

He argued that medically approved therapies supervised by physicians could be used proactively to help individuals achieve personal goals, whether related to athletic performance, aging or general well-being.The Enhanced Games business model reflects that philosophy.

Organizers hope public exposure to athletes openly using enhancement therapies could increase consumer interest in products marketed for performance, recovery and longevity. Among the products promoted through the broader ecosystem are testosterone-based treatments and peptide therapies associated with skin health and physical performance.

Supporters of the project argue that advances in biotechnology are already transforming medicine and that sport should adapt accordingly. Critics counter that normalizing performance-enhancing drugs risks encouraging unsafe use among amateur athletes and the broader public, particularly younger people who may seek competitive advantages without adequate medical oversight.

Angermayer remains convinced that public opinion will shift. He predicts the event will attract a large and politically diverse audience, introducing new consumers to enhancement therapies and challenging long-standing assumptions about anti-doping policies.

The billionaire’s confidence is consistent with his reputation for pursuing unconventional investments. Beyond biotechnology and financial markets, Angermayer is known for collecting rare fossils and dinosaur remains.

During a discussion of his collection, he described owning what he said is the largest triceratops skull ever discovered and also possessing a Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton that he may sell for approximately $40 million.He said the triceratops skull is being installed in his London apartment, a process complicated by insurance requirements and the logistical challenge of moving such a large specimen into a residential property.

Yet even by Angermayer’s standards, the Enhanced Games may be his most ambitious undertaking. The initiative seeks to challenge decades of anti-doping norms that have shaped modern international sport, including policies enforced by organizations such as World Anti-Doping Agency and numerous international federations.

Supporters argue that technological and medical advances make traditional distinctions between natural and enhanced performance increasingly difficult to maintain. Opponents respond that the widespread acceptance of enhancement drugs would fundamentally alter the nature of athletic competition and increase pressure on athletes to use substances simply to remain competitive.

Angermayer believes the concept can eventually expand beyond current participants. He has suggested future editions could include well-known former athletes in their 40s and 50s attempting to approach performances from their competitive prime with the assistance of enhancement therapies.

Such proposals remain highly controversial and are likely to face continued scrutiny from sports governing bodies and medical experts. Questions surrounding athlete safety, informed consent, competitive fairness and the commercial promotion of enhancement drugs remain central to the debate.Despite those concerns, Angermayer appears undeterred.

He argues that enhancement technologies represent an inevitable part of the future and sees the Enhanced Games as an early step toward broader public acceptance of performance-focused medicine.Whether that vision gains mainstream support remains uncertain.

The project’s long-term viability will likely depend on audience interest, athlete participation, regulatory responses and the public’s willingness to embrace a model of sport built around openly enhanced performance.For now, Angermayer is placing a high-stakes wager that the concept will endure.

While skeptics question whether the Enhanced Games can survive beyond its initial years, the entrepreneur insists the movement is only beginning.

In an age of AI and platforms like ChatGPT, audiences expect well-researched, thoughtful engagement—not repetitive, memorized speeches from two decades ago.

Dr. Zakir Naik once stood as an intellectual force in the late 1990s and early 2000s. His debates with figures such as Dr. William Campbell and Rashmi Bai Zaveri showcased his razor-sharp reasoning, precise responses, and ability to captivate audiences. However, after recently reviewing his visit to Pakistan—a visit I had missed in 2024—it became painfully evident that his relevance has drastically diminished.

A Stagnant Intellectual Approach

A scholar or public speaker must continuously evolve to remain impactful. Dr. Naik, however, appears trapped in a time capsule, recycling the same arguments he made over two decades ago. His content in 2025 remains nearly identical to what he presented in the early 2000s, making him appear disconnected from contemporary discourse.

Take, for example, his justification for polygyny. In 2005, his argument that there are more women than men, leaving women with the choice of either becoming “public property” or entering polygamous marriages, may have drawn applause. However, in 2025, such rhetoric is rightly seen as deeply problematic and disrespectful toward women.

Many women today choose to remain single, are divorced, or are widowed, yet lead dignified and independent lives. To imply that their only alternatives are polygyny or prostitution is not only outdated but outright offensive. There are far more nuanced and respectful ways to discuss this issue in a modern context.

Unbecoming Public Behavior

During his Pakistan tour, Dr. Naik’s public complaints about excess baggage fees while traveling on Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) were particularly disappointing.

Addressing an audience in Karachi, he openly criticized the airline for offering only a 50% discount on his extra 500-600 kg of luggage despite his status as a “state guest.” His remarks, which implied entitlement to free service, were not only unbecoming of a respected scholar but also reduced him to a subject of mockery in Pakistan’s media circles.

A man of his caliber should focus on intellectual discourse rather than airing grievances over airline discounts in front of an audience expecting wisdom, not tantrums. Such trivial matters do not belong on a public platform and only serve to diminish his profile.

Another concerning moment during his visit was his reaction to a Pashtun girl from Pakistan, reportedly from the Marri region, who questioned him about the rising instances of pedophilia in certain conservative Islamic societies.

Instead of engaging with her concern thoughtfully, Dr. Naik responded with anger, demanding evidence and treating her question as an accusation rather than an inquiry. What was the need for him to become extremely defensive and dismissive? Dodging the realities doesn’t serve the purpose. The Gen-Z is clever enough to identify the sham identities.

Having spent time with Pakistanis from Peshawar and tribal agencies in Saudi Arabia, I have personally heard acknowledgments of such issues within their communities. Instead of confronting this problem with honesty and urging self-reflection among religious figures, Dr. Naik chose to attack the questioner—an unfortunate and counterproductive stance.

Also, adding to his decline is his recent focus on trivial social media content. Rather than sharing scholarly insights, much of his online presence revolves around personal adventures—visiting a zoo, holding a snake, or bungee jumping. While personal interests are not inherently problematic, an international preacher known for serious theological discourse should be mindful of his image and priorities.

A Message to Aspiring Daees – Preachers

For those Daees who look up to Dr. Naik as a model for Islamic preaching, there is an important lesson here: scholarship requires continuous learning and adaptation. Clinging to medieval arguments without addressing contemporary challenges renders one irrelevant.

In an age of AI and platforms like ChatGPT, audiences expect well-researched, thoughtful engagement—not repetitive, memorized speeches from two decades ago.

Islamic scholars must root themselves in traditional knowledge through Ulema, while embracing modernity with intellectual honesty.

The world is evolving, and so must our approach to religious discourse. Preaching should not be about mere rhetoric but about meaningful engagement with today’s realities.

Here is a lesson in Dr. Zakir Naik’s trajectory: no matter how brilliant one may be, stagnation leads to irrelevance. Those who seek to guide others must first ensure they remain worthy of being followed.