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. James Magnussen, a two-time Olympian, finished last in both the 100m and 50m freestyle events, despite using banned substances and wearing a banned 'supersuit.' His times of 49.44 seconds in the 100m and 22.35 seconds in the 50m were significantly slower than his personal bests. Kristian Gkolomeev dominated, winning both freestyle events with times of 46.60 seconds in the 100m and 20.81 seconds in the 50m, earning over $1.75 million in prize money and bonuses. Hunter Armstrong, a non-enhanced swimmer, outperformed doped competitors in the 50m backstroke and 100m freestyle, highlighting the eventâs controversial nature. The Enhanced Games offered massive financial incentives, including a $1 million bonus for breaking world records, but times achieved will not be officially recognized due to the use of banned substances and specialized suits.
â Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- James Magnussen finished last in the 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 Zhanleâs 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.
- The Enhanced Games took place in a purpose-built arena in Las Vegas, with events including swimming, track and field sprinting, and weightlifting.
- Magnussen wore a garish gold 'supersuit' (banned by World Aquatics since 2009) at the Enhanced Games, which organizers allowed as part of the eventâs rules.
- Magnussen earned $50,000 for participating in the 100m freestyle event, regardless of his finishing position.
- Kristian Gkolomeev won $250,000 for his 100m freestyle victory, plus a $1 million bonus for beating Cam McEvoyâs 50m freestyle world record (20.88) with a time of 20.81.
- The International Olympic Committee and World Anti-Doping Agency condemned the Enhanced Games as a 'dangerous betrayal' of sports integrity.
- Fred Kerley, a non-enhanced sprinter, competed in the 100m sprint at the Enhanced Games, finishing in 9.97 seconds (outside his personal best of 9.76 and Usain Boltâs world record of 9.58).
- Hunter Armstrong won the 50m backstroke event in 24.21 seconds, beating Shane Ryan (25.23), who was taking performance-enhancing drugs.
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Magnussen claimed $50,000 for turning up at the event, with a $1 million bonus available for breaking a world record.
- The Enhanced Games offer a $1 million bonus for breaking existing world records, with swimming taking place in a 50m, four-lane pool.
- The event allows performance-enhancing drugs including testosterone, EPO, and human growth hormone.
- Magnussen earned $140,000 in prize money plus a lucrative appearance fee from the one-day event.
- The Enhanced Games YouTube stream froze for 11 minutes after just seven minutes of action.
- Rapper Tyga, with 46 million followers, attended the event.
- Kerley criticized competitors for poor training and false starts, saying 'They need to train a little harder.'
- Armstrong signed with the Enhanced Games due to financial difficulty after his sponsor cut him post-Paris Olympics 2024.
- Medical professionals warned about the potential long-term effects of taking performance-enhancing substances at the event.
- Cam McEvoy posted on social media: 'Seriously?! Thatâs all you got!' after Gkolomeevâs 20.81-second 50m time.
- The Enhanced Group markets and sells the performance-enhancing drugs used by athletes at the event.
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- The Guardian states Gkolomeevâs 50m time was 20.81 seconds, while ABC and THEAGE report it as 20.81 and 20.81 (consensus), but ABC and THEAGE do not mention McEvoyâs exact world record time (20.88) being beaten by Gkolomeev in the 50m, only the 100m.
- ABC and THEAGE mention Magnussenâs 50m time as 22.35 seconds, but only THEAGE and SMH explicitly state he finished last in the 50m freestyle with that time.
- THEAGE and SMH mention Armstrongâs 100m freestyle time as 48.09 seconds, but ABC only states he was second without specifying the time.
- ABC and THEAGE mention Magnussenâs 100m time as 49.44 seconds, but only THEAGE and SMH explicitly state he was last in both the 50m and 100m freestyle events.
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.
âSeriously?! Thatâs all you got!â â Cam McEvoy makes dig at Enhanced Games performances
Gkolomeev pipped McEvoyâs legal WR by only 0.07s âMissileâ Magnussen finished last in both freestyle races Australian world record-breaking swimmer Cam McEvoy has had a clear dig at the inaugural Enhanced Games. Greek swimmer Kristian Gkolomeev went under McEvoyâs 50m freestyle world record time at the Games, held on Monday in Las Vegas. Gkolomeev also won the 100m freestyle, while Australiaâs James âThe Missileâ Magnussen finished last out of four swimmers in the two races. That prompted a soci