James Magnussen's poor performance at the inaugural Enhanced Games in Las Vegas
Consensus Summary
The inaugural Enhanced Games in Las Vegas featured athletes using performance-enhancing drugs, drawing sharp criticism from the International Olympic Committee and World Anti-Doping Agency. Australian swimmer James Magnussen, despite using banned substances and wearing a banned 'supersuit,' finished last in the 100m freestyle with a time of 49.44 seconds, over 2 seconds slower than his personal best. He earned $US50,000 for participating. Greek swimmer Kristian Gkolomeev won the event with a time of 46.60 seconds, 0.2 seconds outside Pan Zhanle’s world record, and took home $US250,000. Non-enhanced American swimmer Hunter Armstrong outperformed doped competitors, winning the 50m backstroke and finishing second in the 100m freestyle. The event also included track and field sprinting, where Fred Kerley competed clean but failed to break his personal best. World Aquatics has threatened to ban athletes associated with the Enhanced Games from future competitions, highlighting the controversy surrounding the event’s legitimacy.
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- James Magnussen finished last in the men's 100m freestyle at the Enhanced Games with a time of 49.44 seconds, 2.34 seconds slower than his 2012 personal best.
- Kristian Gkolomeev won the 100m freestyle at the Enhanced Games with a time of 46.60 seconds, 0.2 seconds outside Pan Zhanle’s world record of 46.40.
- Hunter Armstrong, a non-enhanced athlete, finished second in the 100m freestyle with a time of 48.09 seconds, a new personal best.
- James Magnussen earned $US50,000 ($A70,000) for participating in the 100m freestyle event at the Enhanced Games.
- Kristian Gkolomeev won $US250,000 ($A350,000) for his 100m freestyle victory at the Enhanced Games.
- The Enhanced Games took place in a purpose-built arena in Las Vegas, with swimming events held in a 50m, four-lane pool.
- The International Olympic Committee and World Anti-Doping Agency have criticized the Enhanced Games as a 'dangerous betrayal' of sports integrity.
- Hunter Armstrong won the men's 50m backstroke event at the Enhanced Games with a time of 24.21 seconds, beating Shane Ryan (25.23), who was using performance-enhancing drugs.
- James Magnussen wore a garish gold 'supersuit' (banned by World Aquatics since 2009) at the Enhanced Games, which was allowed due to the event's rules.
- Fred Kerley, a clean sprinter, competed in the 100m sprint at the Enhanced Games but failed to break his personal best of 9.76 seconds, finishing in 9.97 seconds.
- The Enhanced Games offered a $US1 million bonus for breaking existing world records, though such records would not be officially ratified.
- The Enhanced Games allowed athletes to use performance-enhancing drugs including testosterone, EPO, and human growth hormone.
- World Aquatics has threatened to ban athletes associated with the Enhanced Games from competing in world championships or the Olympics.
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- James Magnussen claimed $US50,000 for turning up at the event, despite finishing last in the 100m freestyle.
- The Enhanced Games include track and field sprinting and weightlifting alongside swimming events.
- The YouTube stream of the Enhanced Games froze for 11 minutes after just seven minutes of action (mentioned in context of Armstrong's win).
- Kristian Gkolomeev won $US1.75 million total, including a $US1 million bonus for beating Cam McEvoy’s 50m freestyle world record of 20.81 seconds.
- James Magnussen earned $US140,000 in prize money plus a lucrative appearance fee from the one-day event.
- Fred Kerley criticized competitors for poor training and false starts during the 100m sprint event.
- Rapper Tyga, with 46 million followers, attended the Enhanced Games.
- Medical professionals warned about the potential long-term effects of taking performance-enhancing substances.
- No additional unique details beyond those in The Age.
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- The Age and SMH state Kristian Gkolomeev's 50m freestyle time was 20.81 seconds, but ABC does not mention this specific time for the 50m event.
- ABC and The Age mention Hunter Armstrong's 100m freestyle time as 48.09 seconds, but SMH does not provide this specific detail.
- The Age states James Magnussen finished fourth in the 50m freestyle with a time of 22.35, but this detail is not mentioned in ABC or SMH.
Source Articles
Magnussen flops at Enhanced Games, finishes last
James Magnussen, wearing a garish golden suit, has finished dead last at the inaugural Enhanced Games event.
Gkolomeev wins $1.75m as Magnussen humbled in Enhanced Games
A world record time was bettered in the final event of the first Enhanced Games in Las Vegas.
Magnussen finishes last as clean swimmer wins $350,000 at Enhanced Games
The Australian, who was the first athlete signed by the controversial new sporting competition, was well off the pace in the 100m freestyle.