- James Magnussen opens up about the Enhanced Games
- Retired Australian swimmer to compete for $1.5 million grand prize
- He says there is one precaution he will take beforehand.
James Magnussen has opened up about the one precaution he’ll be taking ahead of his highly anticipated appearance at the Enhanced Games.
Billionaire businessman Aron D’Souza is bankrolling a controversial project that will rival the Olympics and see athletes compete for themselves, not their country, with a huge prize pool for the winner of each event.
The biggest difference between the Enhanced Games and the Olympics is that competitors will be allowed to dope, in what D’Souza sees as an experiment to test human ability.
The Enhanced Games have been controversial over fears of the consequences of using drugs to push humans to their limits. But the competition remains interesting for spectators, with several athletes speaking out in favour of the games.
Only one high-profile athlete has publicly backed the Enhanced Games: swimmer James Magnussen revealed he would be willing to get “drunk out of his mind” to break the men’s 50-metre freestyle world record and take home $1.5 million.
And speaking to Seven’s Spotlight show, the Australian said there was just one precautionary measure he would take before competing.
“The only thing I’ve thought of is a possible side effect, like freezing the sperm before starting the protocol,” he said. “I think that’s a pretty reasonable measure.”
Athletes have been promised the best medical supervision in the world and Magnussen says he has full confidence in organisers to ensure no one’s safety is at risk.
James Magnussen has revealed he will freeze his sperm ahead of the Enhanced Games
Billionaire businessman Aron D’Souza (above) is funding the controversial project
“The only rule that Enhanced Games have is that they have to be FDA approved and prescribed by a doctor,” the two-time Olympian said.
‘It’s not superficial stuff, you know, that they’re testing us if we put athletes through this.
‘Constant monitoring, constant adjustments on how I’m doing and if at any point I’m not getting a benefit, or if some kind of side effect occurs, we change tactics instantly.’
Magnussen was candid when asked why he decided to register his interest in the new project.
“There are a few,” he said, laughing. “Yes, there is a big one, say 1.5 or 1.6 million Australian dollars, to break that world record.”
“My intention was basically to do a podcast, but… and I think in some ways, would Enhanced Games be where they are today without that quote, but without my involvement?” he said of his “exciting” comment. “Potentially not.”
Magnussen (left) says he will be “very nervous” to win the $1.5 million prize.
Meanwhile, D’Souza says he is preparing athletes who will compete in Paris to take part in his event.
“We have had thousands and thousands of athletes who have shown interest in us, we are in negotiations with many of them,” D’Souza told AAP.
“It’s very simple: we will start signing formal commitments immediately after the Paris Olympic Games.”
