James Return Raises Eyebrows in Competitive Swimming

News Desk

Islamabad: James Magnussen is making a comeback to competitive swimming by participating in the Enhanced Games, an event created by Aron D’Souza that operates independently from the World Anti-Doping Agency’s jurisdiction, allowing doping.

The former world champion swimmer aims to break the 50m freestyle world record set by Brazilian Cesar Cielo in 2009, though any achievement would not be officially recognized due to the absence of drug testing.

In return for his participation, Magnussen is set to earn $1 million and boldly declared, “I’ll juice to the gills and I’ll break it in six months.” The Enhanced Games, founded in 2023, spans various sports like athletics, swimming, weightlifting, gymnastics, and combat sports, although specific details about the date and venue are pending confirmation.

Magnussen’s decision has sparked controversy, drawing criticism from anti-doping agencies. The UK Anti-Doping Agency expressed serious concerns, highlighting the safety risks and the violation of fair play associated with competitions allowing performance-enhancing drugs. Despite potential backlash, D’Souza expects widespread athlete interest in the Enhanced Games.

As a retired Olympian with significant achievements, including world titles and Olympic silver, Magnussen approaches this endeavor cautiously. He emphasizes seeking advice, ensuring safety, and documenting the journey through video content to responsibly showcase the potential of achieving enhanced performance.