James Magnussen drops bombshell Enhanced Games revelation

Australian swimmer James Magnussen has dropped his biggest regret regarding his controversial Enhanced Games move.

Australian swimmer James Magnussen has dropped a bombshell revelation about the upcoming Enhanced Games.

Magnussen had been linked with competing before he officially confirmed his participation in the Games.

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One of the fastest swimmers in recorded history, Magnussen is a two-time 100m freestyle world champion and claimed silver in that event at the London Olympics in 2012.

The 32-year-old faced a wave of backlash after the announcement, but is forging ahead with the venture and in a recent interview divulged just how big the opportunity had become.

After confirming he was competing in the games, with a $1m prize on offer if he’s to break the 50m freestyle world record, the man known as “The Missile” opened up on the backlash he had received.

James Magnussen on the Enhanced Games

“It’s been a busy week. The scope of it has surprised me a little bit,” Magnussen said on the Hello Sport podcast.

“I guess I thought it would be a big story, but I didn’t think it would catch on that quick and go that global.

“Maybe that’s testament to the fact that it is a feasible product, it seems like people want to see this.

“There was a lot of ‘think about the kids’ type of comments. When you say things you’re not thinking about the kids.

“In hindsight it’s a relevant point, but there’s so many things that adults and sports stars and people do that doesn’t mean you should go out and do the same thing.

“Like because Lewis Hamilton drives 200km/h a 16-year-old boy should go get in a car and drive at those speeds.

“There’s things that happen in a professional sense that shouldn’t be replicated and aren’t meant to be replicated.”

Magnussen is chasing the 50m world record. (AAP Image/Darren England) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY

Magnussen revealed that since announcing he had signed on, the whole scene had exploded and while he attempted to remain tight-lipped … he, without saying his name, announced a big name had come on board.

“Some of the stuff that’s coming out off the back of it and I can’t tell you on air but I’m happy to tell you off air,” he said.

“There’s a lot of stuff in the works that is going to make this a big project worldwide. Documentary deals, directors that have signed on, streaming services.

“The documentary will be focused around me and a couple of other athletes.

“They came to me and said ‘we’re ahead of schedule but this has taken off globally’”.

It’s then that Magnussen drops the bombshell suggestion that Elon Musk has asked questions about the upcoming venture.

“We’re talking about businessman in the world, some who may or may not create electric cars that have come to them off the back of this story.

“Things have developed.”

Despite the worldwide appeal of it all, Magnussen has one regret over his comments when he confirmed he would be competing.

“You know what I wish I didn’t say, I wish I didn’t say juiced to the gills because that is the f***ing comment that is being used everywhere.

“It’s all going to be very scientific, but because I said that comment people just went bam and ran with it.

“It’s the one quote that I regret.”

Magnussen regrets his choice of words. Pics Adam Head

Silicon Valley billionaire Peter Thiel, a co-founder of PayPal, is among a raft of high-profile people throwing financial muscle behind the concept.

The venture claims it is aimed at aiding research into nutritional supplements and biohacks that push the boundaries of human performance.

Aron D’Souza plans to provide more details on April 17 and promote the controversial concept in Paris during the Summer Olympics, which begin in July, but the initial plan is to feature swimming, athletics, combat events, gymnastics and weightlifting.

D’Souza would not reveal how much money was raised, telling The New York Post earlier this month it was in the “high single-digit millions” — a sum that is “enough to produce the first games”.

D’Souza said that Enhanced Games are negotiating with several host cities “that have requisite infrastructure” though he declined to specify which venue will host the inaugural competition, which he expects to get underway by the middle of next year.

Originally published as James Magnussen drops bombshell Enhanced Games revelation