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James Magnussen’s quest for a $1.4 million prize by setting a new world record at the Enhanced Games ended in disappointment, as he finished last in his first swimming event.
The two-time Olympian and former 100m freestyle world champion lagged behind his competitors in the 100m freestyle race on Monday morning, Australian time, during the contentious event held in Las Vegas.
Magnussen’s competitor, Greek athlete Kristian Gkolomeev, narrowly missed out on the substantial prize offered to doped athletes who break world records, clocking in at 46.60 seconds—just 0.2 seconds short of the target time.
Magnussen is set to compete in the 50m freestyle event later on the same day.
Winners at the Enhanced Games receive $358,000, though the event has faced criticism for being ‘immoral,’ with detractors arguing that it encourages practices detrimental to athletes’ health.
James Magnussen is pictured showing off his drug-fuelled physique shortly before competing in the men’s 100m freestyle at the Enhanced Games on Monday, Australian time
The Aussie (pictured in the second lane from the bottom) finished far off the pace as he tried to collect $1.4million for breaking a world record in the event in Las Vegas
Magnussen (left) was all smiles after the race, which was won by Greek star Kristian Gkolomeev, who missed out on the huge payday by a fraction of a second
Magnussen was the first athlete in the world to commit to Enhanced Games, to feature swimming, athletics, and weightlifting.
And he knew from the outset that, given the stakes, there was no margin for error.
‘Me being the first athlete on board, we have to get this perfect,’ Magnussen said.
‘It’s everyone’s best interest for me, a, to swim fast, b, to prove that this process can be done safely and, c, to document that for everybody to see.’
He has completely transformed his body in preparation for the contest, embarking on a strenuous training regime fuelled by performance-enhancing substances that would result in a long ban if he was caught using them anywhere else but in the Enhanced Games.
Magnussen first raised eyebrows last year when he bulked up to 114kg while attempting to break the 50m freestyle world record wearing a banned polyurethane supersuit.
At the time, the retired Olympian admitted the sheer amount of muscle made him feel like he was ‘sinking’ in the water.
Now, after changing his training and body composition, Magnussen has dropped 17kg and unveiled a much leaner, heavily sculpted physique just days before competing in Las Vegas.
Magnussen (pictured after the 100m race) will also compete in the 50m freestyle
The 35-year-old originally bulked up to 114kg (pictured) for the Enhanced Games before dropping 17kg because all the extra muscle made him feel like he was ‘sinking’
In an Instagram post captioned, ‘We know you’re watching – enjoy the show’, Magnussen showed off his chiselled body as anticipation built around the event.
Fans flooded the comments section in disbelief.
‘Lesssgoo, absolutely shredded,’ one wrote.
‘Shreddy McShredderson,’ another posted.
A third added: ‘Half man, half abdominal muscle.’
Another fan joked: ‘Juiced to the absolute gills.’
Magnussen has confirmed he has been using a protocol involving testosterone and peptides under medical supervision for almost two years.
Athletes competing at the event are permitted to use substances banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency, including testosterone, human growth hormone and EPO, provided they are approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.
The Games were founded by Australian entrepreneur Aron D’Souza, who has described the project as a pathway towards ‘super humanity – humans 2.0’.
D’Souza also believes the competition could help drive a booming anti-ageing industry.