Australian officials slam ‘Steroid Games’ as James Magnussen misses out on $1m bonus for world record

Athletes have been warned not to trash their reputations and risk their health by taking part in the Enhanced Games as it emerged James Magnussen had already missed out on a huge bonus for competing.

Dismissed by global drug-busters as a “clown show” and a “circus”, Australian authorities have joined in condemning the “Steroid Games”, a money-grabbing competition which allows elite athletes to freely use performance-enhancing drugs.

Compared to what they usually get for playing by the rules, the money being offered to athletes to dope is eye-watering but sports leaders have warned anyone contemplating taking part in the “Enhanced Games” that they risk trashing their reputations and damaging their health.

“While those behind the Enhanced Games might be looking to make a quick buck, that profit would come at the expense of kids across the world thinking they need to dope to chase their dream, “ Travis Tygart, the chief executive of the US anti doping agency said.

“We desperately wish this investment was being made in the athletes who are currently training and competing the real and safe way. They are the role models this world so desperately needs and they are the ones who deserve our support – not some dangerous clown show that puts profit over principle.”

James Magnussen has missed out on a $1 million bonus to break a world record.

Initially derided as a publicity stunt to promote pharmaceuticals, organisers of the Enhanced Games remain bullish about going through with their plans to stage an anything-goes competition, with former Australian swimming world champion James Magnussen already signed up and bragging about injecting himself with performance enhancing substances.

A vocal opponent of drugs in sport when he was swimming for Australia at the Olympics and world championships, Magnussen has unashamedly admitted he only came out of retirement and agreed to juice himself up because of the money.

He has been paid a hefty fee just for taking part and offered around a staggering $1.55 million bonus if he can juice himself up and break the world record time for 50 metres freestyle.

But, in a devastating blow to his get rich quick scheme, the “Missile” has already been beaten to the loot.

According to event organisers, Greek sprinter Kristian Gkolomeev posted a time of 20.89 seconds in a behind-closed-doors trial in February, dipping under the official world record of 20.91 set by Cesar Cielo in 2009.

Although Gkolomeev’s mark won’t count because doping is considered cheating, clean swimmers all around the world have expressed their disgust at the use of drugs.

Australian Olympic golden girl Ariarne Titmus said she had never even heard of Gkolomeev - even though he is ranked 22nd of all time - until she receiving a notification on her phone about his drug-assisted performance.

“This is a bit of a kick in the bum to any athlete who’s ever worked their whole life to train,” Titmus told Nova 100.

“Everyone’s obviously able to have their own opinion, but I don’t like it.”

The first details about the inaugural Enhanced Games were announced in Las Vegas on Thursday and will feature a limited number of events in just three core sports: swimming, track and field and weightlifting.

Fittingly, it’s scheduled to take place in Sin City over four days from 21–24 May, 2026, at a resort on the Las Vegas Strip.

As well as offering participation money and extra rewards to competitors who break records, organisers are also promising prize money for each event, above and beyond what most Olympic athletes earn.

Sport Integrity Australia chief executive Dr Sarah Benson (right) with Minister for Sport Anika Wells.

According to organisers, each event will offer $770,000, with a $1.55 million bonus for world records in the 50m freestyle and 100m sprint, and $388,000 for other world records.

“We’re not just launching a sporting event,” said Aron D’Souza, the Australian-born president of the Enhanced Games.

We’re launching a new era – one built on science, choice, and the limitless potential of the human body. The Time is Now.”

So far, the take up has been pitiful and only four athletes, all swimmers, have signed up: Magnussen, Gkolomeev, Bulgaria’s Josif Miladinov from and Andrii Govorova from Ukraine.

D’Souza hopes to lure clean athletes to join the event but sports authorities have advised against that, saying drugs remain “dangerous, unethical and damaging to sport” and any association with them leaves a stain.

“SIA condemns competitions that promote drug use and doping methods in sport, particularly those that may seek to exploit athletes for financial gain and influence,” Sport Integrity Australia (SIA) chief executive Sarah Benson said.

“Of particular concern is the message this sends to young athletes participating at all levels of sport around the world – that it is OK to take performance enhancing drugs. Which it is not.”

Enhanced Games said any athletes who dope themselves will do so under controlled and “safe” conditions, which SIA’s Athlete Advisory Group (AAG) said was deceiving because many substances on the World Anti Doping Agency’s (WADA) prohibited list carry the risk of serious side effects.

“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 athletes’ 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”.

WADA has also criticised the Enhanced Games with science director Oliver Rabin saying: “It’s like the Roman circus, you know, you sacrifice the lives of people purely for entertainment. What’s the value of this? I don’t think any responsible society should move in that direction.”

Originally published as Australian officials slam ‘Steroid Games’ as James Magnussen misses out on $1m bonus for world record