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The Advertiser
23-05-2025
- Business
- The Advertiser
More Aussies flag Enhanced Games interest amid backlash
Australian sports decrying the drug-fuelled Enhanced Games feel threatened at losing more athletes, swimmer James Magnussen says. Fellow Australian swimmers have flagged interest to Magnussen in following him to the sports event without drug testing after the inaugural games in Las Vegas next May. Australia's top sports crime-fighter, Sport Integrity Australia's chief executive Sarah Benson, has condemned Enhanced Games as dangerous and damaging. "We work to ensure that sport is safe and fair for all," Benson said. "The Enhanced Games is promoting the complete opposite. "(It) poses a significant risk to athletes' health and safety while undermining the fundamental values of sport in Australia. "Of particular concern is the message this sends to young athletes." The Australian Olympic Committee and other sports bodies have also railed against the event, but Magnussen said the attitude among cash-strapped athletes differed. "The most common response I hear from current athletes is, if this all goes ahead the way we believe it will in the first year, then we're very interested to join," Magnussen told AAP in Las Vegas. "Because the opportunity to set yourself up for life just isn't there at the moment in that swimming world. "But it's very clear that opportunity is available with the Enhanced Games." The games launched by Melbourne-born entrepreneur Aron D'Souza have already paid out $US1 million ($A1.5 million) to swimmer Kristian Gkolomeev. The four-time Greek Olympian bettered the legal 50m freestyle world record while on performance enhancing drugs last February. The million-dollar bonus is for any athlete breaking the legal record in the 50m free and 100m sprint, with $US250,000 ($A389,000) for besting other world benchmarks. Each Enhanced event will carry $US500,000 ($A777,000) prizemoney - the winner takes $US250,000, every athlete gets a sliding share, plus appearance fees. Magnussen said the cash at an event backed by multi-billionaires would change lives - and minds. "It's a real and present threat for those sporting organisations in Australia," he said. "It's a big opportunity for any athlete. "You don't have to be an enhanced athlete to compete at the Games. "(Australia's Olympic 50m freestyle champion) 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 $1 million US, so $1.6 million Australian, 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." Magnussen wants to rekindle his rivalry with Olympic teammate McEvoy. "Everyone will have to make their own decision, will have to delve into their own conscience and find out what they think is the better option for them," he said. "But after this first games, they will realise this is the real deal. "I'd love to see Cam come and race; that was a rivalry that we had a long time ago. "They're the storylines that can make these first games really exciting." Magnussen was the first athlete to sign with Enhanced Games, followed by Gkolomeev. Ukraine's world record holder in the 50m butterfly, Andrii Govorov, and Bulgarian Olympic butterflyer Josif Miladinov have also joined. About 100 athletes will compete with organisers to build a four-lane 50m pool, a six-lane athletics track and a weightlifting venue on land currently a car park at Resorts World Las Vegas. This AAP article was made possible by support from the Enhanced Games Australian sports decrying the drug-fuelled Enhanced Games feel threatened at losing more athletes, swimmer James Magnussen says. Fellow Australian swimmers have flagged interest to Magnussen in following him to the sports event without drug testing after the inaugural games in Las Vegas next May. Australia's top sports crime-fighter, Sport Integrity Australia's chief executive Sarah Benson, has condemned Enhanced Games as dangerous and damaging. "We work to ensure that sport is safe and fair for all," Benson said. "The Enhanced Games is promoting the complete opposite. "(It) poses a significant risk to athletes' health and safety while undermining the fundamental values of sport in Australia. "Of particular concern is the message this sends to young athletes." The Australian Olympic Committee and other sports bodies have also railed against the event, but Magnussen said the attitude among cash-strapped athletes differed. "The most common response I hear from current athletes is, if this all goes ahead the way we believe it will in the first year, then we're very interested to join," Magnussen told AAP in Las Vegas. "Because the opportunity to set yourself up for life just isn't there at the moment in that swimming world. "But it's very clear that opportunity is available with the Enhanced Games." The games launched by Melbourne-born entrepreneur Aron D'Souza have already paid out $US1 million ($A1.5 million) to swimmer Kristian Gkolomeev. The four-time Greek Olympian bettered the legal 50m freestyle world record while on performance enhancing drugs last February. The million-dollar bonus is for any athlete breaking the legal record in the 50m free and 100m sprint, with $US250,000 ($A389,000) for besting other world benchmarks. Each Enhanced event will carry $US500,000 ($A777,000) prizemoney - the winner takes $US250,000, every athlete gets a sliding share, plus appearance fees. Magnussen said the cash at an event backed by multi-billionaires would change lives - and minds. "It's a real and present threat for those sporting organisations in Australia," he said. "It's a big opportunity for any athlete. "You don't have to be an enhanced athlete to compete at the Games. "(Australia's Olympic 50m freestyle champion) 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 $1 million US, so $1.6 million Australian, 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." Magnussen wants to rekindle his rivalry with Olympic teammate McEvoy. "Everyone will have to make their own decision, will have to delve into their own conscience and find out what they think is the better option for them," he said. "But after this first games, they will realise this is the real deal. "I'd love to see Cam come and race; that was a rivalry that we had a long time ago. "They're the storylines that can make these first games really exciting." Magnussen was the first athlete to sign with Enhanced Games, followed by Gkolomeev. Ukraine's world record holder in the 50m butterfly, Andrii Govorov, and Bulgarian Olympic butterflyer Josif Miladinov have also joined. About 100 athletes will compete with organisers to build a four-lane 50m pool, a six-lane athletics track and a weightlifting venue on land currently a car park at Resorts World Las Vegas. This AAP article was made possible by support from the Enhanced Games Australian sports decrying the drug-fuelled Enhanced Games feel threatened at losing more athletes, swimmer James Magnussen says. Fellow Australian swimmers have flagged interest to Magnussen in following him to the sports event without drug testing after the inaugural games in Las Vegas next May. Australia's top sports crime-fighter, Sport Integrity Australia's chief executive Sarah Benson, has condemned Enhanced Games as dangerous and damaging. "We work to ensure that sport is safe and fair for all," Benson said. "The Enhanced Games is promoting the complete opposite. "(It) poses a significant risk to athletes' health and safety while undermining the fundamental values of sport in Australia. "Of particular concern is the message this sends to young athletes." The Australian Olympic Committee and other sports bodies have also railed against the event, but Magnussen said the attitude among cash-strapped athletes differed. "The most common response I hear from current athletes is, if this all goes ahead the way we believe it will in the first year, then we're very interested to join," Magnussen told AAP in Las Vegas. "Because the opportunity to set yourself up for life just isn't there at the moment in that swimming world. "But it's very clear that opportunity is available with the Enhanced Games." The games launched by Melbourne-born entrepreneur Aron D'Souza have already paid out $US1 million ($A1.5 million) to swimmer Kristian Gkolomeev. The four-time Greek Olympian bettered the legal 50m freestyle world record while on performance enhancing drugs last February. The million-dollar bonus is for any athlete breaking the legal record in the 50m free and 100m sprint, with $US250,000 ($A389,000) for besting other world benchmarks. Each Enhanced event will carry $US500,000 ($A777,000) prizemoney - the winner takes $US250,000, every athlete gets a sliding share, plus appearance fees. Magnussen said the cash at an event backed by multi-billionaires would change lives - and minds. "It's a real and present threat for those sporting organisations in Australia," he said. "It's a big opportunity for any athlete. "You don't have to be an enhanced athlete to compete at the Games. "(Australia's Olympic 50m freestyle champion) 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 $1 million US, so $1.6 million Australian, 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." Magnussen wants to rekindle his rivalry with Olympic teammate McEvoy. "Everyone will have to make their own decision, will have to delve into their own conscience and find out what they think is the better option for them," he said. "But after this first games, they will realise this is the real deal. "I'd love to see Cam come and race; that was a rivalry that we had a long time ago. "They're the storylines that can make these first games really exciting." Magnussen was the first athlete to sign with Enhanced Games, followed by Gkolomeev. Ukraine's world record holder in the 50m butterfly, Andrii Govorov, and Bulgarian Olympic butterflyer Josif Miladinov have also joined. About 100 athletes will compete with organisers to build a four-lane 50m pool, a six-lane athletics track and a weightlifting venue on land currently a car park at Resorts World Las Vegas. This AAP article was made possible by support from the Enhanced Games Australian sports decrying the drug-fuelled Enhanced Games feel threatened at losing more athletes, swimmer James Magnussen says. Fellow Australian swimmers have flagged interest to Magnussen in following him to the sports event without drug testing after the inaugural games in Las Vegas next May. Australia's top sports crime-fighter, Sport Integrity Australia's chief executive Sarah Benson, has condemned Enhanced Games as dangerous and damaging. "We work to ensure that sport is safe and fair for all," Benson said. "The Enhanced Games is promoting the complete opposite. "(It) poses a significant risk to athletes' health and safety while undermining the fundamental values of sport in Australia. "Of particular concern is the message this sends to young athletes." The Australian Olympic Committee and other sports bodies have also railed against the event, but Magnussen said the attitude among cash-strapped athletes differed. "The most common response I hear from current athletes is, if this all goes ahead the way we believe it will in the first year, then we're very interested to join," Magnussen told AAP in Las Vegas. "Because the opportunity to set yourself up for life just isn't there at the moment in that swimming world. "But it's very clear that opportunity is available with the Enhanced Games." The games launched by Melbourne-born entrepreneur Aron D'Souza have already paid out $US1 million ($A1.5 million) to swimmer Kristian Gkolomeev. The four-time Greek Olympian bettered the legal 50m freestyle world record while on performance enhancing drugs last February. The million-dollar bonus is for any athlete breaking the legal record in the 50m free and 100m sprint, with $US250,000 ($A389,000) for besting other world benchmarks. Each Enhanced event will carry $US500,000 ($A777,000) prizemoney - the winner takes $US250,000, every athlete gets a sliding share, plus appearance fees. Magnussen said the cash at an event backed by multi-billionaires would change lives - and minds. "It's a real and present threat for those sporting organisations in Australia," he said. "It's a big opportunity for any athlete. "You don't have to be an enhanced athlete to compete at the Games. "(Australia's Olympic 50m freestyle champion) 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 $1 million US, so $1.6 million Australian, 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." Magnussen wants to rekindle his rivalry with Olympic teammate McEvoy. "Everyone will have to make their own decision, will have to delve into their own conscience and find out what they think is the better option for them," he said. "But after this first games, they will realise this is the real deal. "I'd love to see Cam come and race; that was a rivalry that we had a long time ago. "They're the storylines that can make these first games really exciting." Magnussen was the first athlete to sign with Enhanced Games, followed by Gkolomeev. Ukraine's world record holder in the 50m butterfly, Andrii Govorov, and Bulgarian Olympic butterflyer Josif Miladinov have also joined. About 100 athletes will compete with organisers to build a four-lane 50m pool, a six-lane athletics track and a weightlifting venue on land currently a car park at Resorts World Las Vegas. This AAP article was made possible by support from the Enhanced Games
West Australian
23-05-2025
- Business
- West Australian
More Aussies flag Enhanced Games interest amid backlash
Australian sports decrying the drug-fuelled Enhanced Games feel threatened at losing more athletes, swimmer James Magnussen says. Fellow Australian swimmers have flagged interest to Magnussen in following him to the sports event without drug testing after the inaugural games in Las Vegas next May. Australia's top sports crime-fighter, Sport Integrity Australia's chief executive Sarah Benson, has condemned Enhanced Games as dangerous and damaging. "We work to ensure that sport is safe and fair for all," Benson said. "The Enhanced Games is promoting the complete opposite. "(It) poses a significant risk to athletes' health and safety while undermining the fundamental values of sport in Australia. "Of particular concern is the message this sends to young athletes." The Australian Olympic Committee and other sports bodies have also railed against the event, but Magnussen said the attitude among cash-strapped athletes differed. "The most common response I hear from current athletes is, if this all goes ahead the way we believe it will in the first year, then we're very interested to join," Magnussen told AAP in Las Vegas. "Because the opportunity to set yourself up for life just isn't there at the moment in that swimming world. "But it's very clear that opportunity is available with the Enhanced Games." The games launched by Melbourne-born entrepreneur Aron D'Souza have already paid out $US1 million ($A1.5 million) to swimmer Kristian Gkolomeev. The four-time Greek Olympian bettered the legal 50m freestyle world record while on performance enhancing drugs last February. The million-dollar bonus is for any athlete breaking the legal record in the 50m free and 100m sprint, with $US250,000 ($A389,000) for besting other world benchmarks. Each Enhanced event will carry $US500,000 ($A777,000) prizemoney - the winner takes $US250,000, every athlete gets a sliding share, plus appearance fees. Magnussen said the cash at an event backed by multi-billionaires would change lives - and minds. "It's a real and present threat for those sporting organisations in Australia," he said. "It's a big opportunity for any athlete. "You don't have to be an enhanced athlete to compete at the Games. "(Australia's Olympic 50m freestyle champion) 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 $1 million US, so $1.6 million Australian, 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." Magnussen wants to rekindle his rivalry with Olympic teammate McEvoy. "Everyone will have to make their own decision, will have to delve into their own conscience and find out what they think is the better option for them," he said. "But after this first games, they will realise this is the real deal. "I'd love to see Cam come and race; that was a rivalry that we had a long time ago. "They're the storylines that can make these first games really exciting." Magnussen was the first athlete to sign with Enhanced Games, followed by Gkolomeev. Ukraine's world record holder in the 50m butterfly, Andrii Govorov, and Bulgarian Olympic butterflyer Josif Miladinov have also joined. About 100 athletes will compete with organisers to build a four-lane 50m pool, a six-lane athletics track and a weightlifting venue on land currently a car park at Resorts World Las Vegas. This AAP article was made possible by support from the Enhanced Games
Perth Now
23-05-2025
- Business
- Perth Now
More Aussies flag Enhanced Games interest amid backlash
Australian sports decrying the drug-fuelled Enhanced Games feel threatened at losing more athletes, swimmer James Magnussen says. Fellow Australian swimmers have flagged interest to Magnussen in following him to the sports event without drug testing after the inaugural games in Las Vegas next May. Australia's top sports crime-fighter, Sport Integrity Australia's chief executive Sarah Benson, has condemned Enhanced Games as dangerous and damaging. "We work to ensure that sport is safe and fair for all," Benson said. "The Enhanced Games is promoting the complete opposite. "(It) poses a significant risk to athletes' health and safety while undermining the fundamental values of sport in Australia. "Of particular concern is the message this sends to young athletes." The Australian Olympic Committee and other sports bodies have also railed against the event, but Magnussen said the attitude among cash-strapped athletes differed. "The most common response I hear from current athletes is, if this all goes ahead the way we believe it will in the first year, then we're very interested to join," Magnussen told AAP in Las Vegas. "Because the opportunity to set yourself up for life just isn't there at the moment in that swimming world. "But it's very clear that opportunity is available with the Enhanced Games." The games launched by Melbourne-born entrepreneur Aron D'Souza have already paid out $US1 million ($A1.5 million) to swimmer Kristian Gkolomeev. The four-time Greek Olympian bettered the legal 50m freestyle world record while on performance enhancing drugs last February. The million-dollar bonus is for any athlete breaking the legal record in the 50m free and 100m sprint, with $US250,000 ($A389,000) for besting other world benchmarks. Each Enhanced event will carry $US500,000 ($A777,000) prizemoney - the winner takes $US250,000, every athlete gets a sliding share, plus appearance fees. Magnussen said the cash at an event backed by multi-billionaires would change lives - and minds. "It's a real and present threat for those sporting organisations in Australia," he said. "It's a big opportunity for any athlete. "You don't have to be an enhanced athlete to compete at the Games. "(Australia's Olympic 50m freestyle champion) 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 $1 million US, so $1.6 million Australian, 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." Magnussen wants to rekindle his rivalry with Olympic teammate McEvoy. "Everyone will have to make their own decision, will have to delve into their own conscience and find out what they think is the better option for them," he said. "But after this first games, they will realise this is the real deal. "I'd love to see Cam come and race; that was a rivalry that we had a long time ago. "They're the storylines that can make these first games really exciting." Magnussen was the first athlete to sign with Enhanced Games, followed by Gkolomeev. Ukraine's world record holder in the 50m butterfly, Andrii Govorov, and Bulgarian Olympic butterflyer Josif Miladinov have also joined. About 100 athletes will compete with organisers to build a four-lane 50m pool, a six-lane athletics track and a weightlifting venue on land currently a car park at Resorts World Las Vegas. This AAP article was made possible by support from the Enhanced Games
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Athletes warn against potential health risks of ‘dangerous, unethical' Enhanced Games
Australian swimmer and former Olympian James Magnussen will compete in the inaugural Enhanced Games event in Las Vegas in May 2026. Australian swimmer and former Olympian James Magnussen will compete in the inaugural Enhanced Games event in Las Vegas in May 2026. Photograph: Daniel Boud/The Guardian A group of prominent Australian athletes including former Olympic diver Melissa Wu and Diamonds netballer Natalie Butler (nee Medhurst) has taken aim at the Enhanced Games after the 'superhumanity' startup confirmed plans for its first event next year in Las Vegas, where former world champion Dolphin James Magnussen is expected to take part. The inaugural Enhanced Games planned for next May will include medical screening and individualised health profiling for the sprinting, swimming and weightlifting events as well as oversight by independent scientific and ethics boards to address widespread concerns for the safety of those who take part. Advertisement But Sport Integrity Australia's six-member Athlete Advisory Group, which also includes rugby sevens representative Ben O'Donnell and gymnast Alexandra Kiroi-Bogatyreva, issued a plea on Thursday for athletes to resist the lure of prize money and recognise their status as role models in society by staying clean. Related: Pro-doping Enhanced Games to debut in Las Vegas with Trump Jr backing 'The normalisation of performance-enhancing drugs promotes doping as entertainment, putting athletes at risk, and devalues the efforts of those who choose to compete clean,' the athlete advisory group said. 'We are concerned about the negative role modelling impact on young athletes in particular, and the related health risks of using performance-enhancing substances or methods that may be inadvertently viewed as safe.' Advertisement SIA said the proposed health safety measures around next year's event have not changed its view of the concept, which the agency described as 'dangerous, unethical and damaging to sport'. 'We work to ensure that sport is safe and fair for all,' SIA chief executive Sarah Benson said. 'The Enhanced Games is promoting the complete opposite and poses a significant risk to athlete's health and safety while undermining the fundamental values of sport in Australia.' The Enhanced Games hopes to draw former elite athletes such as Magnussen with prize money, including $777,000 (US$500,000) for each event and $1.55m (US$1m) for anyone who breaks a recognised world record. Advertisement The participants will be required to disclose what substances they use, as organisers promise 'advances in medical science'. SIA's new Athlete Advisory Group was announced this week after 70 applications. Their first public act was to express concern over the Enhanced Games. 'For athletes considering participation, we strongly urge them to reconsider and fully understand the health risks not only to themselves, but also the influence their choices may have on young athletes who look up to them and emulate their choices,' the advisory group said. 'Informed decision-making is critical, especially when it comes to your health, your legacy, and the integrity of the sport.'
Daily Mail
09-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Former Matildas star Lisa De Vanna UNLOADS on departing Football Australia boss James Johnson following abuse and bullying claims
Matildas legend Lisa De Vanna has publicly unloaded on outgoing Football Australia boss James Johnson, who has resigned after more than five years in charge. It comes after De Vanna, 40, alleged in 2021 she suffered same-sex sexual harassment, abuse and bullying during her decorated 150-game international career. Her former teammate and W-League stalwart Rhali Dobson also alleged she was a target of sexual harassment in her career. Striker De Vanna - who scored 47 goals for the Matildas - was furious at the time after Johnson said any such complaint would be handled by Sport Integrity Australia and not football's governing body. 'This will ensure that matters like those raised by Lisa and Rhali are dealt with appropriately and individuals have the right support around them in an independent way,' Johnson said in a video statement. 'We must acknowledge that at the centre of this, we have two players who have shown great courage to speak about and to share their personal experiences. 'Lisa and Rhali, we see you and we hear you.' De Vanna, Australia's second-highest goal-scorer in senior internationals behind Sam Kerr, alleged abuse dating back to 2001 when she joined the Young Matildas squad as a 17-year-old. She said she had been sexually harassed, bullied and ostracised because of her reactions to such incidents. Bombshell accusations include allegedly being pulled down from behind and dry-humped. Fast forward to 2025 and De Vanna clearly believes Johnson wasn't proactive enough in addressing the allegations. Taking to X on Thursday, De Vanna posted: 'Goodbye [derogatory term] what took you so long? 'Hope you go to hell. No one should have gone through the darkness you put me through, but I survived, think this is over? 'This chapter is far from over.' It followed Johnson informing the Football Australia board of his decision to resign on Thursday after more than five years at the helm. Current Director and former Matilda Heather Garriock has been named as the interim CEO.
