• Gkolomeev’s time in men’s 50m freestyle disputed

• Organisers launch defence of timing apparatus

The Enhanced Games has dismissed suggestions by online sleuths that a world record set in Sunday’s event was mistakenly timed, calling them “completely unfounded internet drivel”.

Some accounts on Instagram had noted that the Greek swimmer Kristian Gkolomeev appeared to touch the wall after his time of 20.81 seconds in the men’s 50m freestyle flashed up on screen.

• Gkolomeev’s 50m freestyle ‘record’ brings relief

• Glitzy night lacks excitement forecast by organisers

They promised multiple world records. To redefine what the human body is capable of with performance enhancing drugs. Even to change sport for ever. But by the end of the inaugural Enhanced Games in Las Vegas organisers were left with one abiding emotion. Relief.

Only in the final event of the night, after more than five hours of competition, could they lay claim to having gone quicker than an official world record as the Greek swimmer ­Kristian Gkolomeev swam 20.81sec in the men’s 50m freestyle.

• Swimmer says event is in ‘safest environment possible’

• Wada, however, insists it is ‘dangerous and irresponsible’

The former Team GB swimmer Ben Proud has denied that young people will be tempted to dope after watching him in the Enhanced Games.

The 31-year-old is on a mid six-figure salary after joining the controversial event and could earn another $1.25m on Sunday night if he swims faster than the 50m freestyle world record.

The Enhanced Games promise human advancement and world records but critics fear more worrying effects

On the eve of the most controversial sports event of the 21st century so far, one swimmer is explaining how it felt to take banned drugs for the first time. “I was anxious, to be honest,” says Andriy Govorov, the 50m butterfly world record-holder. “Because there’s no way back.”

The 34-year-old Ukrainian points to his backside. That is where the first needle carrying performance-enhancing drugs went into his body. Then to his stomach. That one hurt less. “I don’t like needles being stuck in me,” Govorov says. “When I was younger, I would pass out when I had blood tests.”

Having unearthed the world’s largest triceratops head, Christian Angermayer knows where to find treasure among the dirt. Step forward Sunday’s inaugural ‘Steroid Olympics’ promoting PEDs to the masses

Before we get to doping and psychedelics, arguably the most controversial man in sport is discussing how he came to own the largest triceratops skull ever discovered. And how he plans to install it in his London apartment.

So how much did you pay for it, I ask Christian Angermayer, the German billionaire who has made fortunes from biotech, bitcoin and psychedelics and now intends to do the same again using – and many believe abusing – sport. “Not a lot, because I find them.”

• Event ‘goes against everything Wada stands for’

• Inaugural competition is on Sunday in Las Vegas

The World Anti-Doping Agency says it is concerned that Enhanced Games’ athletes will tempt more young people into using performance-enhancing drugs.

The stark warning comes before the controversial $50m event in Las Vegas on Sunday, which allows competitors to take banned drugs – and offers huge prizes if they win races and break world records.