BREAKING NEWS World Aquatics takes robust stance against Enhanced Games as Aussie swimmers endorsing controversial competition are BANNED from the Olympics
World Aquatics have revealed that they are introducing a new bylaw that will prevent athletes who have 'endorsed, supported or participated' in events such as the controversial 'Enhanced Games' from competing at the Olympics or any other sanctioned events.
It means Aussie swimmer James Magnussen, who has been a backer of the so-called 'Steroid Games', will now be unable to compete at the Olympics in 2028 and the World Championships.
The Enhanced Games was given the green light to go ahead and plans are currently in place for the event to begin in Las Vegas next year.
The event allows athletes to benefit from using performance-enhancing drugs, with Magnussen, who won Olympic medals in 2016 and 2012, being the first athlete to commit. Athletes are said to be competing for prize purses of up to $500,000, while bonuses of $250,000 are offered out to those who break world records.
Swimmers Kristian Gkolomeev, Andrii Govorov and Josif Miladinov all followed suit, but all will now be banned from competing in World Aquatics events, per the new ruling.
But in a bid to keep sport free from performance-enhancing substances, World Aquatics announced on Wednesday that it would be taking a firm stance on athletes who participate or endorse the event.
'World Aquatics has adopted a new Bylaw that reinforces its steadfast commitment to clean sport,' a statement on the body's website read.
The governing body's president Husain Al Musallam added: 'Those who enable doped sport are not welcome at World Aquatics or our events.
'This new Bylaw ensures that we can continue to protect the integrity of our competitions, the health and safety of our athletes, and the credibility of the global aquatics community.'
The statement clarifies that those endorsing or participating in events that 'embrace the use of scientific advancements or other practices may include prohibited substances and/or prohibited methods will not be eligible to hold positions with World Aquatics or to participate in any World Aquatics competitions, events, or other activities.'
World Aquatics confirmed that the rules would also apply to coaches, team officials, administrators, medical staff or government representatives, meaning another Aussie former swimmer, Brett Hawke, who has recently become the head coach of the Enhanced Games swimming team will also be prohibited from working on World Aquatics sanctioned events.
The governing body announced that the measure would come into effect 'immediately'.
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