Enhanced Games: James Magnussen Dragged Through the Mud by Swimming Fans For $1 Million Bet

Published 04/04/2024, 11:54 PM EDT

Meant to take place in the year 2025, enhanced games are in the talks since it encompasses athletes who will not be tested for any performance-enhancing drugs. It seems like considering the forthrightness of the Enhanced Games, athletes are coming up with any uncorroborated pleas to justify their performances in this upcoming event. One such instance is of the retired Australian swimmer, James Magnussen.

Magnussen recently put up an extraordinary demand to take part in the games donning the now-banned ‘super suits’ to break Cesar Cielo’s 50 freestyle world record. Notably, the organizers have announced a $1.5 million reward for the swimmer if he attains that feat. James Magnussen talked about this in a podcast interview, “Inside with Brett Hawke” on YouTube recently.

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He also revealed his strategy of re-trending to his early 20s body shape using anti-aging, testosterone, and other treatments. Amid all this, Magnussen’s claim of breaking the record immediately drew criticism from swimming enthusiasts. “He can’t break any record – he’ll be doped … pointless”, quoted a fan teasing the Australian swimmer.

He can't break any record – he'll be doped … pointless.
— StateOfSwimming.com (@StateOfSwimming) April 4, 2024

Finding James Magnussen’s demand foolish, another fan exclaimed, “What an a**hat!”. ”

What an asshat
— Brad Culp (@bbculp) April 4, 2024

“James Magnussen is such a LOSER. Why are we giving this any more attention? Though, are we surprised since it’s Brett Hawke? The Enhanced Games are a joke.” said another from the audience.

Comparing talent with such foolishness, a spectator put forward his thought, “The fact that, by doing this, he could win more money than many talented swimmers make in their entire careers makes me want to vomit, so disgusting.”

“Will he break the world record” while being completely doped up? If he doesn’t then LMAO but also congrats you have to be completely juiced up to get the world record how good”, stated some fan who does not like James Magnussen’s approach. In the middle of all this, sits the much-discussed ‘super suits’ launched by Speedo in 2008. But did they enhance the performances back in 2008-09?

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The 2008-09 era records: the blessing of super suit or skill?

After getting banned in the year 2010, those LZR technology super swimsuits have been revised to use only textile materials instead of polyurethane ones. Barring artificial technology to grab victory, more emphasis on talent acquisitions has been given now. But one cannot deny that the greatest of all records had been set during the times when those suits were used.

It includes Cesar Cielo’s 50 freestyle, Michael Phelps’ 400 IM, and Federica Pellegrini’s 200 freestyle. During the 2008-09 period, most of the top 25 all-time performers’ rankings were taken over by the swimmers of super super-suited era. But the percentage fell significantly. So where do the present-day swimmers stand in comparison to those of that era?

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As per stats, in 2009, the average time of the 100 fastest swimmers in the world in the men’s 50 freestyle was 22.06. But in 2021, this average was faster than 2009, 22.01. If we interpret it in another way, with the suits, the 2008-09 era swimmers clocked times that the present swimmers could clock only after more than a decade. So was it their skills? Or the enhancement factor of the suits? Or a combination of both? Let us know your thoughts!

Enhanced Games: Despite Having a $1 Million Deal, James Magnussen Makes Absurd Request for World Record Promise

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Written by:

Nandini Makkar is a budding Olympics Sports writer at EssentiallySports. A true sports enthusiast, Nandini covers track and field, equestrian sports, NCAA gymnastics, and wrestling. Rooted in her school days' prowess in badminton and volleyball, Nandini brings a genuine passion to her work.

Edited by:

Bhujaya Ray Chowdhury

Enhanced Games: James Magnussen Dragged Through the Mud by Swimming Fans For $1 Million Bet

The 2008-09 era records: the blessing of super suit or skill?

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