Latest news with #JamesMagnussen
The Guardian
8 hours ago
- Health
- The Guardian
Swimming world body will banish participants in pro-doping Enhanced Games
Swimmers, coaches and officials who compete in or support a controversial new sports event allowing performance-enhancing drugs will be barred from elite competition, World Aquatics announced on Tuesday. The move targets the Enhanced Games, a privately funded, Olympics-style event set to debut in Las Vegas next May, which explicitly permits – and encourages – the use of substances banned under global anti-doping rules. Athletes will not be drug-tested and may follow personalized pharmaceutical regimens, provided they disclose their use to organizers. World Aquatics said anyone who 'supports, endorses, or participates in sporting events that embrace the use of scientific advancements or other practices that may include prohibited substances and/or prohibited methods' will be ineligible for the organization's events. This includes athletes, coaches, administrators, and medical personnel. 'Those who enable doped sport are not welcome at World Aquatics or our events,' said Husain al-Musallam, the organization's president. The Enhanced Games, slated for 21–24 May 2026 in Las Vegas, will feature sprinting, swimming and weightlifting. Organizers have promised prize money of up to $500,000 per event, including $1m bonuses for breaking world records in the 100m sprint or 50m freestyle. Australian swimmer and three-time Olympic medalist James Magnussen is among a small group of athletes who have publicly signed on. The event's founder, Australian entrepreneur Aron D'Souza, has pitched the Games as a revolutionary platform embracing what he calls 'superhumanity', a future where pharmaceutical and technological enhancement is normalized. Athletes may compete naturally, follow enhancement protocols, or participate in clinical trials using FDA-designated 'Investigational Medicinal Products'. 'We are creating a new category of human excellence,' promotional materials say. 'A world where performance-enhancing drugs are used safely, openly, and under medical supervision.' D'Souza has called anti-doping policy 'outdated and hypocritical', claiming the Enhanced Games offers a safer, more transparent alternative. The plan has drawn sharp criticism from anti-doping bodies and sports federations. 'It's a dangerous clown show, not real sport,' said Travis Tygart, head of the US Anti-Doping Agency. The World Anti-Doping Agency warned the project 'jeopardizes athletes' health and well-being' by promoting 'the abuse of powerful substances and methods that should only be prescribed, if at all, for specific therapeutic needs'. Athletes are expected to undergo medical screening and be monitored by independent health and ethics boards. But enforcement appears largely voluntary, a feature organizers describe as part of their 'partnership-first' model. In February, Greek-Bulgarian swimmer Kristian Gkolomeev reportedly swam faster than the world record in the 50m freestyle while on an enhancement protocol. Though organizers touted the result, it came with caveats: Gkolomeev wore a full-body polyurethane suit not approved by World Aquatics, and the swim is not recognized as official. Financial backing for the Games includes support from figures aligned with former U.S. president Donald Trump. A recent investment round was led by 1789 Capital, a firm co-founded by Donald Trump Jr. Other backers include Peter Thiel's Apeiron Investment Group and the hedge fund Karatage. D'Souza has welcomed the association with Trump-linked donors, calling it 'more important than any investment' to have political and cultural backing from prominent American conservatives. World Aquatics' announcement comes amid efforts to clamp down on the Enhanced Games before they gain further traction. No major broadcasters or sponsors have been confirmed, and the pool of committed athletes remains small. Still, organizers say they are pressing forward with plans for a year-round training base and a broader business venture selling personalized enhancement programs to consumers. While the Enhanced Games bills itself as a parallel to the Olympics, critics say it risks undermining global sport entirely. 'The greater risk,' reads an internal Enhanced FAQ, 'is pretending those risks don't exist.' Whether the public embraces or rejects that philosophy may determine if the Enhanced Games are a one-off experiment or a disruptive force in the future of elite competition.
San Francisco Chronicle
9 hours ago
- Health
- San Francisco Chronicle
Swimming world body to banish athletes and supporters of doping-fueled event in Las Vegas
LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AP) — Swimmers and officials who compete in and support a doping-fueled sports event planned in Las Vegas will be banished from the sport, the governing body World Aquatics said on Tuesday. Organizers of the Enhanced Games scheduled next May promise $1 million bonuses for athletes who beat world record times over sprint distances in the pool or on the track. Weightlifting also is on the program. A small group of past Olympic swimmers, including three-time medalist James Magnussen of Australia, are among athletes who signed up for the event that aims to push limits beyond the rules of clean sport. 'Those who enable doped sport are not welcome at World Aquatics or our events,' its president Husain al-Musallam said in a statement after the decision. 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,' the world swim body said. 'This ineligibility would apply to roles such as athlete, coach, team official, administrator, medical support staff, or government representative.' Enhanced Games organizers had a launch event last month for the inaugural event at a Vegas resort, with plans for a year-round training base. Athletes are not subject to doping tests though they should have their health monitored. The project also involves selling personalized programs of supplements and substances to people who pay a refundable $99 deposit. One investment group is backed by Donald Trump Jr. The World Anti-Doping Agency has criticized the idea first touted in 2023 as dangerous and irresponsible. ___
Fox Sports
10 hours ago
- Health
- Fox Sports
Swimming world body to banish athletes of PED-fueled Enhanced Games
Swimmers and officials who compete in and support a doping-fueled sports event planned in Las Vegas will be banished from the sport, the governing body World Aquatics said on Tuesday. Organizers of the Enhanced Games scheduled next May promise $1 million bonuses for athletes who beat world record times over sprint distances in the pool or on the track. Weightlifting also is on the program. A small group of past Olympic swimmers, including three-time medalist James Magnussen of Australia, are among athletes who signed up for the event that aims to push limits beyond the rules of clean sport. "Those who enable doped sport are not welcome at World Aquatics or our events," its president Husain al-Musallam said in a statement after the decision. [MORE: The Enhanced Games are a new sports competition where PEDs aren't banned] 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," the world swim body said. "This ineligibility would apply to roles such as athlete, coach, team official, administrator, medical support staff, or government representative." Enhanced Games organizers had a launch event last month for the inaugural event at a Vegas resort, with plans for a year-round training base. Athletes are not subject to doping tests though they should have their health monitored. The project also involves selling personalized programs of supplements and substances to people who pay a refundable $99 deposit. One investment group is backed by Donald Trump Jr. The World Anti-Doping Agency has criticized the idea first touted in 2023 as dangerous and irresponsible. Reporting by The Associated Press. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account , and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily! Get more from Summer Olympics Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more in this topic
Winnipeg Free Press
10 hours ago
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
Swimming world body to banish athletes and supporters of doping-fueled event in Las Vegas
LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AP) — Swimmers and officials who compete in and support a doping-fueled sports event planned in Las Vegas will be banished from the sport, the governing body World Aquatics said on Tuesday. Organizers of the Enhanced Games scheduled next May promise $1 million bonuses for athletes who beat world record times over sprint distances in the pool or on the track. Weightlifting also is on the program. A small group of past Olympic swimmers, including three-time medalist James Magnussen of Australia, are among athletes who signed up for the event that aims to push limits beyond the rules of clean sport. 'Those who enable doped sport are not welcome at World Aquatics or our events,' its president Husain al-Musallam said in a statement after the decision. 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,' the world swim body said. 'This ineligibility would apply to roles such as athlete, coach, team official, administrator, medical support staff, or government representative.' Enhanced Games organizers had a launch event last month for the inaugural event at a Vegas resort, with plans for a year-round training base. Athletes are not subject to doping tests though they should have their health monitored. The project also involves selling personalized programs of supplements and substances to people who pay a refundable $99 deposit. One investment group is backed by Donald Trump Jr. The World Anti-Doping Agency has criticized the idea first touted in 2023 as dangerous and irresponsible. ___ AP sports:
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Swimming world body to banish athletes and supporters of doping-fueled event in Las Vegas
FILE - Australia's James Magnussen smiles as he hold the gold medal he won in the Men's 100m freestyle final at the FINA Swimming World Championships in Barcelona, Spain, on Aug. 1, 2013. (AP Photo/Michael Sohn, File) LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AP) — Swimmers and officials who compete in and support a doping-fueled sports event planned in Las Vegas will be banished from the sport, the governing body World Aquatics said on Tuesday. Organizers of the Enhanced Games scheduled next May promise $1 million bonuses for athletes who beat world record times over sprint distances in the pool or on the track. Weightlifting also is on the program. Advertisement A small group of past Olympic swimmers, including three-time medalist James Magnussen of Australia, are among athletes who signed up for the event that aims to push limits beyond the rules of clean sport. 'Those who enable doped sport are not welcome at World Aquatics or our events,' its president Husain al-Musallam said in a statement after the decision. 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,' the world swim body said. 'This ineligibility would apply to roles such as athlete, coach, team official, administrator, medical support staff, or government representative.' Advertisement Enhanced Games organizers had a launch event last month for the inaugural event at a Vegas resort, with plans for a year-round training base. Athletes are not subject to doping tests though they should have their health monitored. The project also involves selling personalized programs of supplements and substances to people who pay a refundable $99 deposit. One investment group is backed by Donald Trump Jr. The World Anti-Doping Agency has criticized the idea first touted in 2023 as dangerous and irresponsible. ___ AP sports:
