‘Clowns juggling knives’: Clean swimmers face bans if they compete at Enhanced Games

The world’s best swimmers have been warned they could face bans from future competitions if they take part in the Enhanced Games - even if they compete clean.

World Aquatics, the global governing body for swimming, has likened the proposed event to “clowns juggling knives” and is threatening to sanction any athlete who takes part, regardless of whether they use performance-enhancing drugs.

Two-time Australian Olympian James Magnussen, one of the public faces of the Enhanced Games, has publicly urged reigning Olympic champion Cam McEvoy to race at the inaugural event in Las Vegas next May.

The Enhanced Games plans to pit drug-enhanced athletes against clean Olympians — and is offering huge financial incentives to lure them in, including $US1 million ($AUD1.55 million) for breaking the men’s 50m freestyle world record.

While some athletes may be tempted to race clean under the World Anti-Doping Code, World Aquatics has clarified that doing so may still breach its integrity rules and jeopardise eligibility for sanctioned events such as the world championships or Olympic Games.

Australian swimmer James Magnussen ahead of his world record attempt at the Enhanced Games.Credit: Enhanced Games

A World Aquatics spokesperson said: “All affiliated athletes and coaches are bound by the World Aquatics Integrity Code, which prohibits conduct that could damage the sport’s reputation or undermine public confidence in the integrity of aquatics or the fairness of competition.

“All athletes and coaches affiliated with aquatics clubs are subject to comprehensive anti-doping measures through our partnership with the International Testing Agency (ITA). This includes both in-and out-of-competition testing, robust intelligence gathering and targeted investigations.”

So far, no active swimmer has confirmed their intention to compete at the Enhanced Games, but interest is growing behind the scenes. It comes as recently retired 50m butterfly world record holder Andrii Govorov declared his intention to compete at the Enhanced Games. Govorov has already begun training with Australian coach Brett Hawke in the USA.

The International Olympic Committee is yet to formally address the issue, although Australian Olympic Committee chief executive Mark Arbib has already condemned the concept.

World Aquatics - which will oversee this year’s world championships in Singapore in July and August - has doubled down on its criticism.

Australian swimmer Kyle Chalmers won a silver medal in the 100m freestyle at the 2024 Paris Olympics.Credit: Getty Images

“Like clowns juggling knives, sadly, these athletes will get hurt performing in this circus,” World Aquatics said in a statement. “History has shown us time and time again the grave dangers of doping to human health.

“This is a sideshow to those who compete honestly, fairly, and respect the true spirit of sport. Athletic performance is a pure, special thing and should not be distorted by delusions of ‘science’ and ‘medicine’.

“For every step forward taken by clean athletes, the athletes competing in this circus take ten steps backwards.”

Olympic champion Ariarne Titmus said last week that no amount of money could convince her to associate with the Enhanced Games.

“I’ve never been motivated by money. If they offered me $10 million, I would never put my body through that,” Titmus said.

“I’ve got a pretty strong stance on this. I’m not afraid to speak out. It doesn’t sit well with me morally.”

Magnussen recently failed in his bid to break the 50m freestyle world record — a feat that was later claimed by Greek swimmer Kristian Gkolomeev, who raced with the use of performance enhancing drugs and in a now-banned polyurethane suit.

However, Magnussen believes the tide will turn.

“If I was Cam and I was going to be able to put a suit on and race for $(US)1 million – plus be paid as an athlete – for me it would be a no-brainer,” he said.

“I get it. The Olympics is the pinnacle of our sport and it’s what we all strive towards. At this point, Cam sees [the Enhanced Games] as a sideshow. But people will realise it’s the real deal. It’s happening. It’s not just hypothetical. The money’s there. There’ll be a flood of athletes coming over in year two.”