Australia’s James Magnussen, the 2011 and 2013 100m freestyle world champion, has said he is willing to dope to break the 50m freestyle world record and claim the $1 million (€1.08 million) prize, AFP reports. .

James Magnussen, ready to dope for a million dollars

The 32-year-old swimmer plans to return to take part in the “Expanded Games”, where there will be no anti-doping tests, effectively allowing participants to use banned substances.

Magnussen, who retired from the sport in 2018, will be the first big name to join the hugely controversial project launched in 2023 by Australian businessman Aaron D’Souza, which runs afoul of World Anti-Doping Agency rules and whose performances cannot be homologated.

“If someone had asked me to do this during my swimming career, my answer would have been completely different than it is today because I’ve been out of the sport for six years.

To be completely transparent, money plays an important role. The A$1.6 million prize is hard to ignore. Retired athletes do not have such opportunities every day” – James Magnussen for an Australian.

Brazil’s Cesar Cielo has held the 50m freestyle record (20.91s) since 2009, when he set it in a high-tech aerodynamic suit that has since been banned.

Magnussen, whose personal best is 21.52s, insisted that he will not risk his health: “I want to be surrounded by the right doctors and good medical support. I want to do it right.”

The “Extended Games”, the date and venue of which have not yet been announced, should include five main categories: athletics, swimming, gymnastics, strength and wrestling, writes News.ro.

We are delighted to announce that Olympian James Magnussen has accepted the challenge to compete in the first Enhanced Games. $1 million prize for setting the world record in the 50 freestyle. There will be more details.

— Enhanced Games (@enhanced_games) February 8, 2024