James Magnussen, a world champion swimmer and three-time Olympic medalist, has made headlines by joining the Enhanced Games, a new and controversial sports competition where athletes are allowed to use performance-enhancing drugs. The Enhanced Games, founded by Australian billionaire Aron D’Souza, aim to challenge traditional sports norms by permitting the use of substances banned in events like the Olympics. D’Souza believes that this approach will “safely evolve mankind into a new superhumanity” and create a level playing field by bringing transparency to the widespread, yet often covert, use of performance enhancers.
Magnussen, who retired from competitive swimming in 2019, has embraced the opportunity to compete in the Enhanced Games, expressing his willingness to “juice to the gills” for a chance to win the $1 million prize money offered for setting new world records. He stated, “If they put up $1m for the 50 freestyle world record, I will come on board as their first athlete.” Magnussen’s involvement highlights the appeal of the Enhanced Games to athletes seeking to push the limits of human performance without the restrictions imposed by traditional sports governing bodies.
The Enhanced Games are the brainchild of D’Souza, who envisions the event as a catalyst for advancing scientific understanding of human capabilities. He has established a Scientific Advisory Board, Medical Commission, and Athlete Commission to develop rigorous health and safety protocols for participants. These protocols include comprehensive medical oversight, pre-competition health checks, and continuous monitoring during and after the games. D’Souza’s ambition is to launch the Enhanced Games by 2025, offering a new arena for athletes who want to compete at their peak potential with the aid of scientific enhancements.
D’Souza has also made it clear that the Enhanced Games will not adhere to traditional gender categories. Instead, competitors will be classified based on their chromosomal structure (XX or XY), which D’Souza believes will ensure fair competition while recognizing biological differences. Backed by prominent investors like Peter Thiel, D’Souza and his team are determined to overcome the challenges of launching such a revolutionary sports event, hoping to transform the future of athletics by embracing the potential of human enhancement.
