- James Magnussen generates criticism for his commitment to ‘juice’
- Commentators call it “irresponsible” and “shameful.”
- Magnussen confirmed that he will participate in ‘Steroid Games’
Commentators have turned against Australian Olympian James Magnussen following his announcement that he will compete in the Enhanced Games, where steroid use is allowed and actively encouraged.
He will begin a performance-enhancing supplement program in his quest to break the 50-meter world record and win $1.5 million after accepting a challenge from the founder of the Enhanced Games.
The Games were founded by Australian Aron D’Souza, who confirmed on Friday that he would guarantee the prize, although the event schedule has yet to be confirmed.
D’Souza launched his vision for the Enhance Games that would allow competitors to compete without drug testing, convinced that many of the world’s best athletes already use “performance enhancements.”
“It’s time to celebrate science safely,” reads the Enhance Games website.
Australian Olympian James Magnussen has been criticized for wanting to participate in the controversial Enhanced Games
At the Enhanced Games, steroid use by athletes is not only permitted, but actively encouraged.
“Sports can be safer without drug testing.”
Magnussen told the Hello Sport podcast that he is happy to “juice to the gills” if the price is right.
‘They’ve said they have a billion-dollar person backing them. “If you contribute a million dollars for the 50-meter freestyle world record, I will join as your first athlete,” Magnussen said.
“I’ll juice it up to the gills and break it down in six months.”
But the move has drawn criticism from others who believe his promise to break the world record is “irresponsible.”
“Well, my view is that it’s irresponsible for the very fact that there are millions of people who have admired him throughout his career,” AFL legend Adam Cooney told SEN.
‘I also think there are ramifications on your health… everything could go well but you are putting yourself at risk.
“I would say 90 to 95 percent of the population would put their hand up and do that (for money), obviously they won’t be close to a world record, but it’s pretty attractive.”
The great Australian swimmer says he will “juice his guts” and break the world record
‘My immediate response was that it’s a bit vulgar and a bit irresponsible because there are things that can go wrong… it will probably be fine.
“But then again, this opens the door to the local football player who sees James Magnussen putting on the kit and breaking a world record and thinks: ‘WADA isn’t coming to test me on a Saturday afternoon in Doncaster, I’m going to go’. get the best of me here and for something online’.
‘That’s when it’s dangerous. I don’t like.’
Former NRL star Martin Lang took to social media to comment on the issue.
“A shameful example for children and young aspiring athletes,” he wrote in X.
‘A competition made up of former athletes looking to cash in and remain relevant or B grade athletes who didn’t manage to make it in the first place. What a joke.’
Journalist Suzanne Mostyn was also highly critical of Magnussen and the Enhanced Games concept.
“He goes for the gold in terms of money, he wants that big brass ring, and I think a lot of people probably want to find their glory that way,” Mostyn told Weekend Sunrise.
‘The founder of this, he’s a businessman, says he wants to test the limits of human endeavor, but I think that’s overlooking what it really is.
‘These are the ‘grotesque games’. You’ve got condoms full of nuts walking around saying, ‘I’m the best.’ (These are) the Roid Rage Games.’
‘It’s really questionable… We go back to Roman times, right? Where the elite and the rich said: ‘Hey, mere mortals, entertain me.’ I think he’s pretty sickly.