Latest news with #AriarneTitmus
News.com.au
a day ago
- Health
- News.com.au
Aussies banned from Olympics over new swimming law
Swimming's governing body has announced a blanket ban on any competitor that has taken part in the so-called 'Steroid Games'. Officially called the Enhanced Games, the multi-sport event founded by Australian businessman Aron D'Souza enables athletes to take performance enhancing drugs and compete in banned suits, scheduled to be held in Las Vegas next year. Former Australian world champion James Magnussen has become the public face of the Games, while compatriot and ex-swimmer Brett Hawke recently became the head coach of the Enhanced Games swimming team. Both will now be banned, effective immediately, from any future participation in swimming events at the Olympics or world championships, after World Aquatics (WA) became the first governing body to move on the controversial proposal. 'Those who enable doped sport are not welcome at World Aquatics or our events,' World Aquatics president Husain al-Musallam said in a statement. '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.' WA also encouraged member federations, such as Swimming Australia, to 'adopt similar policies at the national level'. Those that prepare for or take part in the Enhanced Games would also be ineligible to hold any position with the sport's governing body. Australian swimming great Ariarne Titmus reiterated her stance condemning the juiced up Games on Triple M. 'It doesn't sit well with me,' the four-time Olympic gold medallist said on Mick in the Morning. 'I think about what message is this sending kids around the world? That it's OK to take performance-enhancing drugs? 'I firmly believe that it's not. I don't think it's a good thing to do. We don't know exactly the implications of taking these amounts of performance-enhancing drugs are going to have on our body, and morally, I don't agree with it.' Magnussen announced earlier this week will tweak his doping and training regime for the Enhanced Games in a bid to win the revolutionary event after he was pipped in his quest to break the 50m freestyle world record. The Australian swimmer has been the talk of the sporting world after wild images emerged of his massively bulked up physique standing behind the blocks for his world record attempt. Magnussen, who has been retired for six years, has been taking a concoction of testosterone and peptides, among other substances banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), to try to break the 50m freestyle world record. But the 34-year-old nicknamed 'the Missile' watched his dream of winning the US$1 million prize money go up in smoke after another swimmer beat him to it. Greece's Kristian Gkolomeev – aided by undisclosed substances and a polyurethane suit not approved for Olympic use – broke the world record at an Enhanced Games competition pool in North Carolina in February. Gkolomeev swam a time of 20.89 seconds, 0.02sec fastest than the longstanding supersuit world record held by Brazil's Cesar Cielo since the 2009 world championships. A documentary crew, who many believed were only there to witness Magnussen shattering the elusive record, instead captured 31-year-old Gkolomeev's incredible swim resulting in a $1m windfall, just months after he finished fifth in the 50m final at the Paris Olympics. But Magnussen will get another chance to claim the $1m payday he so craves at the inaugural Enhanced Games next year. D'Souza has said the million-dollar prize will still on the table at the official Enhanced Games, which will take place from May 21-24 next year at Resorts World Las Vegas, with events in swimming, athletics and weightlifting. Hawke is a two-time Olympian and medallist at the Commonwealth Games and shortcourse world championships during his career in the pool. He was recently the head coach of singer-turned-swimmer Cody Simpson during his comeback to the sport. The 50-year-old Hawke was appointed the head swimming coach of the Enhanced Games last month and has been flooding his Instagram page with videos and content on the concept. He captioned one post: 'Just the suit and enhancements? Look deeper. You need skill and talent to swim faster than anyone in history.'
7NEWS
2 days ago
- Health
- 7NEWS
Australian Olympians set to be banished under strict new World Aquatics rule targeting Enhanced Games
Ariarne Titmus has spoken out against the doping-fuelled Enhanced Games on the day it emerged swimming 's global governing body had taken action against people involved in the event. The Australian legend's former teammate James Magnussen, a three-time Olympic medallist, was the controversial concept's most visible figure prior to its launch last month. The 34-year-old last year declared he would 'juice to the gills' in an attempt to chase a promised $US1 million ($A1.5m) for anyone who broke a world record. He fell short but Kristian Gkolomeev, a four-time Olympian only months removed from competing at Paris 2024, used performance-enhancing drugs and an open-water suit to swim faster than the official 50m freestyle world record. Criticism ramped up after organisers released results and footage, including images of Magnussen after his first round of doping. Sport Integrity Australia 'condemned' the idea as 'dangerous, unethical and damaging to sport' while issuing a health warning to Aussie athletes considering the doping path. Australian swimming's leading champion has also now taken a stand. 'It doesn't sit well with me. I think about what message is this sending kids around the world? That it's okay to take performance-enhancing drugs? I firmly believe that it's not,' Titmus said on Triple M's Mick in the Morning. 'I don't think it's a good thing to do. We don't know exactly the implications of taking these amounts of performance-enhancing drugs are going to have on our body, and morally, I don't agree with it.' Dual Australian Olympic swimmer Brett Hawke is also involved in Enhanced Games as a coach. While they have committed to the breakaway event, Hawke, Magnussen and Gkolomeev now face being banished from returning to organised professional swimming in the future. World Aquatics on Tuesday announced a new bylaw aimed squarely at Enhanced Games participants. 'Those who enable doped sport are not welcome at World Aquatics or our events,' World Aquatics president Husain al-Musallam said in a statement. '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 new rule targets those who 'support, endorse or participate in sporting events that embrace the use of scientific advancements or other practices that may include prohibited substances and/or prohibited methods'. Anyone affected would be ineligible to participate in a World Aquatics competition or event or hold a position with the global governing body. 'This ineligibility would apply to roles such as athlete, coach, team official, administrator, medical support staff, or government representative,' World Aquatics said. Al-Musallam urged member federations — such as Swimming Australia — to 'adopt similar policies at the national level'. While the president was unequivocal, a swimmer or other individual could only be formally banned if and when they attempt to register to be involved in a World Aquatics event. World Aquatics' announcement would put paid to Magnussen's hope for active swimmers to join Enhanced Games on the side without taking part in doping. Australian Olympic gold medallist Cam McEvoy has sided with clean sport and was subsequently urged by his former teammate and rival to cash in with an Enhanced Games appearance. 'It's a big opportunity for any athlete,' Magnussen told AAP. 'You don't have to be an enhanced athlete to compete at the (Enhanced) Games. 'Cam McEvoy could come from clean sport to the Enhanced Games, put on a supersuit and go very close to that world record without any enhancements. 'He would then be racing for $US1 million, so $A1.6 million, in a year's time rather than waiting three years until the LA Olympic Games to race for $30,000. 'They're quite different propositions.'
ABC News
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- ABC News
Gluten-free gnudi: A light and fresh Italian classic
Australian swimming champion Ariarne Titmus has embraced a gluten-free diet, and Alice is here to show her that cutting out gluten doesn't mean giving up on comfort food. While not technically pasta, ricotta gnudi are a delicious alternative — soft, pillowy dumplings made with ricotta and just a touch of flour. Paired with vibrant peas, broad beans and fresh mint in a buttery sauce, this dish is light, satisfying and perfect for an easy midweek meal. Here's the full list of recipes from Season 2 of A Bite To Eat With Alice. This recipe appears in A Bite to Eat with Alice, a new nightly cooking show on ABC iview and weeknights at 5pm on ABC TV.
Daily Mail
24-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Why ex-US Vice President Kamala Harris was dining at Sydney restaurant seven months on from her defeat at the hands of Donald Trump
Former US vice president Kamala Harris was seen cosying up inside a ritzy Sydney restaurant this weekend several months on from her devastating US election defeat. The 60-year-old former Democrat nominee who lost the presidential race to Donald Trump was filmed dining alongside her entertainment lawyer husband Doug Emhoff at Mosman's Bather's Pavilion in the heart of Sydney's lower north shore. The venue is where a certain Democrat colleague dined when he visited Australia in 2023 for his 'An Evening with Barack Obama ' tour, which was $200-a-pop for a standard seat, and $895 for a 'platinum' spot. Following the dinner Harris arrived for a commercial flight from Sydney Airport to the Gold Coast on Saturday where she is the guest of honour at a star-studded real estate speaking engagement. Harris is one of 32 speakers booked to present at the Australasian Real Estate Conference hosted over two days at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre. Organisers of the event are expected to turbo-charge their security measures to account for the surprise booking where the more than 4000 real estate agents in attendance are expected to undergo security screening. Four-time Olympic gold medallist swimmer Ariarne Titmus, big wave surfer Mark Mathews and British entrepreneur and influencer Steven Bartlett are also billed to present at the conference. While Harris' speaking fee has not been disclosed, delegates will be billed between $995 and $1695 for a two-day pass to the event. Harris was dressed in black on both sightings but traded her heels for a $1350 pair of white Celine sneakers at the domestic terminal. When former first couple Barack and Michelle Obama patronised the heritage-listed Balmoral venue in March, 2023 the menu items included Coral Trout, WA Marron, Handmade Fettucine and Sydney Rock Oysters. Led by executive chef Aaron Ward, the beachside restaurant features a 350-strong wine list with seasonal mains in 2025 ranging from a $49 roasted eggplant to a $65 Rangers Valley wagyu. Harris' visit was a more low-key stop-in than that of the Obama's ahead of which a crowd of about 200 revellers watched on as the couple made for the venue's private 'Good Room' for lunch. It was a rare public sighting of Harris who has kept a relatively low profile since she and her would be VP Tim Walz were resoundingly wiped out by returning Republican president Donald Trump in November. Trump secured wins in all seven swing states, improving on his 2016 victory over former Democrat nominee Hilary Clinton making him the second president in US history to serve non-consecutive terms following Grover Cleveland in the late 19th century. Though Harris has been tight-lipped on her plans for the future, rumour has abounded she may run as governor of California in a bid to oust the term-limited Gavin Newsom. Branded as Harris' first speaking engagement in Australia, promotional material for the Gold Coast event described her as a 'trailblazer through her entire career, committed in her vision for ensuring all Americans can climb the ladder of economic opportunity.' Harris is pictured arriving at Sydney's domestic airport on Saturday ahead of a scheduled speaking engagement at a real estate conference on the Gold Coast Many of Kamala Harris´ supporters and detractors alike think she'd have better odds running for California governor rather than president a third time. No other candidate in California could match her résumé of having served as San Francisco district attorney, state attorney general, U.S. senator and vice president. Beyond being expected to make a decision by the end of summer, Harris said little about her future. She told a crowd in Orange County in April: 'I´ll see you out there. I´m not going anywhere.' To make another run for president, Harris would have to convince national Democrats that she's the face of the party´s future, despite losing to President Donald Trump last year. She's also tied to former President Joe Biden, whom Democrats are increasingly criticizing as new books drive further discussion about his age and physical and mental readiness during his time in office. The 2028 presidential contest is expected to attract a large field, likely to include Newsom. Any candidate will have to unify a fractious Democratic Party with low approval ratings and struggling to slow Trump´s agenda in Washington.
The Age
24-05-2025
- Sport
- The Age
‘I'm not afraid to speak out': Angry Titmus says she wouldn't compete at Enhanced Games for $10m
Olympic great Ariarne Titmus has slammed the Enhanced Games and new 50m freestyle 'world record holder' Kristian Gkolomeev, saying no amount of money – not even $10 million – would tempt her to take performance-enhancing drugs or associate with the controversial event. 'I've probably not been fired up about something for a long time, [but I am] given the light it's been in this week,' Titmus said after signing on as an expert commentator for Channel Nine at next month's Australian swimming trials in Adelaide, starting on June 9. 'I've never been motivated by money. If they offered me $10 million, I would never put my body through that. 'I've got a pretty strong stance on this. I'm not afraid to speak out on it. It doesn't sit well with me morally.' The sporting world was rocked this week by confirmation that the Enhanced Games – a breakaway event founded by Australian entrepreneur Aron D'Souza – will take place in Las Vegas next May. Athletes are encouraged to take performance-enhancing substances, under medical supervision, and compete against each other in swimming, athletics and weightlifting events. Major prizemoney is on offer: $US250,000 ($387,500) for a gold medal and $1.55 million if a world record is broken. Clean athletes have also been invited to take part. Among the headliners is Australian Olympian James Magnussen, who has openly admitted to using testosterone and a cocktail of peptides in pursuit of the 50m freestyle world record.
