- Swimmers will be among the first to compete in Paris
- He has a better chance of winning more medals for Australia
- AOC will expel them from the athletes’ village after the events
Former world champion James Magnussen has criticised Australian Olympic officials for treating swimmers like “hired guns” by removing them from the athletes’ village 48 hours after their final races.
Magnussen won gold, silver and bronze medals at the 2012 and 2016 Olympic Games. He also claimed the world championship title in the 100-metre freestyle in 2011 and 2013. Magnussen retired from competitive swimming in 2019.
He hit out at the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) ahead of the Paris competition, where Australian swimmers are expected to win a significant number of gold medals.
The AOC angered swimmers by informing them they could only stay in the village for 48 hours after their events before having to fly home or find their own accommodation in Paris.
In the first episode of the ‘Matty and the Missile’ Podcast with Matty JohnsMagnussen was furious that the policy showed a blatant disregard for the sacrifices swimmers made, denying them the opportunity to properly celebrate.
“I can only speak from a swimmer’s perspective,” he told the podcast.
“I get the feeling that this swim team is made up of hired guns. You arrive late, there is no opening ceremony, you go straight into the swim, we expect seven or nine gold medals, you finish the competition and you leave.
“There’s no closing ceremony, there’s no Olympic life, you can’t make the most of the dining hall and eat the things you wish you could eat. All those things that are part of the Olympic experience are gone.”
Australian swimmers will be ordered to leave the Olympic village 48 hours after their events
Olympic gold medalist James Magnussen said the AOC was being too harsh on swimmers by not allowing them to enjoy Olympic life.
“As soon as they finish competing they will have 48 hours to get out of here,” Magnussen continued.
‘If they want, they can stay in Paris at their own risk, and return to Paris for the closing ceremony at their own risk, and there will be a bed for them that night.
“I thought, ‘If Titmus does what I think she’s going to do, two consecutive Olympics, gold in the 200 and 400 meters, she has to be our flag bearer (at the closing ceremony).’ I went to the swimming press conference.
“What (Australian head of mission) Anna Meares has said is not special treatment, Ariarne will stay out of the village. She will not cover her back.
“If you are asked to carry the flag at the opening ceremony, it will be your responsibility to return to the village and represent our nation by carrying the flag.”
Australian swimmers were also forced to sit out the opening ceremony celebrations as they prepare for their events which begin tonight AEST.
Magnussen is also the first athlete in the world to sign up for the Enhanced Games, founded by Australian businessman Aron D’Souza.
The Australian swimmer will receive $1.5 million for participating in the competition that not only allows the use of performance-enhancing drugs, but encourages them.
“I’ve stayed in reasonable shape throughout my retirement,” Magnussen said earlier.
‘They (Enhanced Games) have said they have a billion dollar person backing them.
‘If they put up a million dollars for the 50-meter freestyle world record, I’ll join as their first athlete.
“I’ll juice him to the gills and break him in six months.”