Former Australian swimmer Magnussen agrees to dope for $1 million: the “Enhanced Games”, a competition where anything goes

Former Australian swimmer James Magnussen, ready to do anything to win the jackpot. AAP – DAVE HUNT

"To be completely transparent, money plays an important role (…) I want to be surrounded by good doctors and good medical support. I want to do it correctly,' said the Australian. Mind-blowing.  
 

Former Australian swimming champion James Magnussen says he is willing to take performance-enhancing drugs to break 50m freestyle world record and pocket $1 million reward dollars (1.08 M€).

The 32-year-old swimmer, world champion in the 100m freestyle in 2011 and 2013, plans to come out of retirement to participate in the "Enhanced Games" (Enhanced Games), where there will be no doping control, effectively authorizing participants to use prohibited substances.

He would be the first big name to join this very controversial project

Magnussen, removed from the pools since 2018, would be the first big name to join this very controversial project, launched in 2023 by Australian businessman Aron D' Souza, not subject to the rules of the World Anti-Doping Agency and whose performance cannot be approved.

"If someone had asked me to do this during my swimming career, my answer would have been completely different than it is today, in as he has retired from sport for six years", he wrote in a column for The Australian newspaper on Saturday.

"To be completely transparent, money plays an important role. A price tag of AU$1.6 million is hard to ignore. Retired athletes don't have such opportunities every day, added the former champion.

He insisted that he would not take any risks for his health

Brazilian Cesar Cielo has held the 50m freestyle record in 20 sec 91/100 seconds since 2009, when he set it wearing a high-tech aerodynamic supersuit that has since been banned. Magnussen, whose personal best is 21 sec 52, insisted he would take no risks with his health.

"I want to be surrounded by good doctors and good medical support. I want to do it right", he explained. Backed by venture capitalists, the “Enhanced Games”, the date and location of which have not yet been announced, is expected to feature five main categories: athletics, aquatics, gymnastics, strength and fight.