Aussies caught in ban storm as ‘Steroid Games’ boss makes ‘bullying’ allegation

Australian swimmers have been banned on the spot from competing at the Olympics, but new allegations of “bullying” have emerged.

The founder of the so-called “Steroid Games” has launched a stunning attack on the governing body of world swimming in a staggering twist to the Olympic ban storm that has rocked swimming this week.

World Aquatics (WA) on Wednesday announced a blanket ban on any competitor or coach that has taken part in the Enhanced Games, the multi-sport event founded by Australian businessman Aron D’Souza.

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The highly controversial Games enable athletes to take performance enhancing drugs and compete in banned suits and is scheduled to make its debut in Las Vegas next year.

Former Australian world champion James Magnussen has become the public face of the Games, while compatriot and ex-swimmer Brett Hawke recently became the head coach of its swimming team.

Enhanced Games co-founder Christian Angermayer (right) with Aron D'Souza. Photo: Instagram

Images of a massively bulked up Magnussen attempting to set a world leading time in the 50m freestyle, and claim a US$1 million prize, shocked the sporting world late last month.

Magnussen, Hawke and anyone else associated with the doped up concept have now been banned from any future participation at the Olympics or world championships.

D’Souza hasn’t taken long to respond to the move, blasting World Aquatics and vowing to take on any legal fight from his athletes in a statement posted on the Enhanced Games website.

“We stand with athletes and their support teams. Always,” the statement reads.

“At the Enhanced Games, athletes have what traditional federations never gave them: choice, fairness and real money.

A juiced up James Magnussen with coach Brett Hawke (right). Photo: Instagram

“We offer a medically supervised, safety-focused, science-driven arena – where performance is rewarded, not policed by outdated ideology.

“This ban isn’t about protecting athletes. It’s about protecting a monopoly.

“World Aquatics hasn’t paid its athletes for decades. Now, faced with real competition and real momentum, they’ve fallen back on threats and bullying tactics.

“Let’s be clear: the real danger to sport isn’t science. It’s stagnation.

“Enhanced is building a better future – one where athletes are empowered, enhancements are embraced responsibly, and excellence is properly compensated.

“Excellence should always be rewarded and these exceptional athletes deserve exceptional compensation. We’ll continue to fight for all athletes to ensure they receive it.

“We will support any natural or enhanced athlete denied the option to make this choice – both by providing them an opportunity to compete and win – or by providing legal counsel against World Aquatics in the case of any challenge.”

The concept of an official juiced up competition has captivated – and largely appalled – the sporting world since it became public in 2023.

Australian Olympic gold medallists Ariarne Titmus and Cam McEvoy are among athletes that have slammed the idea.

The first Enhanced Games are scheduled for May 21-24 next year at Resorts World Las Vegas featuring swimming, track and field and weightlifting.

World Aquatics became the first governing body to move on the controversial proposal.

“Those who enable doped sport are not welcome at World Aquatics or our events,” World Aquatics president Husain al-Musallam said in a statement.

Greece's Kristian Gkolomeev claimed the initial $1m prize for the 50m freestyle. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic, File)

“This new bylaw ensures that we can continue to protect the integrity of our competitions, the health and safety of our athletes, and the credibility of the global aquatics community.”

WA also encouraged member federations, such as Swimming Australia, to “adopt similar policies at the national level”.

Those that prepare for or take part in the Enhanced Games would also be ineligible to hold any position with the sport’s governing body.

Magnussen announced earlier this week he will tweak his doping and training regime for the Enhanced Games in a bid to win the revolutionary event after he was pipped in his quest to break the 50m freestyle world record.

Magnussen, who has been retired for six years, has been taking a concoction of testosterone and peptides, among other substances banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), to try to break the 50m freestyle world record.

But the 34-year-old nicknamed ‘the Missile’ watched his dream of winning the US$1 million prize money go up in smoke after another swimmer beat him to it.

Greece’s Kristian Gkolomeev – aided by undisclosed substances and a polyurethane suit not approved for Olympic use – broke the world record at an Enhanced Games competition pool in North Carolina in February.

Gkolomeev swam a time of 20.89 seconds, 0.02sec fastest than the longstanding supersuit world record held by Brazil’s Cesar Cielo since the 2009 world championships.

Athletes that are able to beat a world record at the official Enhanced Games are still eligible for the cash prize.

Originally published as Aussies caught in ban storm as ‘Steroid Games’ boss makes ‘bullying’ allegation