SAS Australia: James Magnussen on 2012 London Olympics drug scandal
Swimmer James Magnussen has admitted to still being haunted by the London Olympics, which he says prompted him to reassess his whole life.
Confidential
Don't miss out on the headlines from Confidential. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Swimmer James Magnussen has admitted to still being haunted by the London Olympic Games, at which he was caught up in a prescription drug scandal.
The Missile, as he was known professionally, said the incident made him reassess his whole life.
“It is something I haven’t dealt with completely,” the now 29-year-old said in an interrogation scene playing out on tonight’s episode of reality show SAS Australia.
“But I hope this will show me how mentally tough I am and that I can survive and keep moving forward. It got pretty dark there for a while where I was copping criticism, not only in the media but when I was out in public as well. As a 20 year old kid I didn’t really know how to cope with that so I made a decision back then that I’m never going to let emotions get the better of me again and so I don’t really let anyone in emotionally.”
It was after the 2012 London Games that it emerged he and fellow swimmers Eamon Sullivan, Matt Targett, James Roberts, Tommaso D’Orsogna and Cameron McEvoy took the sleeping drug Stilnox in what was described as a pre-Games bonding session in Manchester.
All but Roberts admitted to taking the prescription drug and subsequently apologised.
The group were favourites to take out the 100m freestyle relay but finished fourth.
He took home a silver medal in the individual 100m freestyle and bronze in the 4x100m medley.
“I got silver by 1/100th of a second which is the smallest margin you can have in sport and at the time I was shattered,” he explained.
“I thought my whole life up until now has been a failure. I think the whole experience around London and the fallout has hardened me in a lot of ways and I haven’t cried since. That experience has left me a little bit emotionally scarred and as a result showing emotion is not something that I’ve ever been very comfortable with.”
More Coverage
Shock as Triple M Sydney host announces departure live on air
Triple M Rush Hour host Gus Worland quits the show after 16 years, sharing the news with listeners on Monday afternoon after 16 years with the station.
Nine executive made redundant, follows CEO out door
Nine’s long-serving communications boss is headed out the door. The move comes after the media company launched an independent review into ‘broader cultural issues’.