Magnussen finishes last as Gkolomeev breaks 50m record at Enhanced Games

The inaugural Enhanced Games in Las Vegas delivered on its promise of high-performance athletics — though what that promise entailed is harder to quantify, as reported by ABC Australia. At a purpose-built venue in front of a curated crowd of around 2,500, 42 athletes competed in swimming, running, and weightlifting events, with The Killers performing at the afterparty and DJ Alan Walker holding a mid-competition set.

Greek swimmer Kristian Gkolomeev swam the fastest 50m freestyle in history, clocking 20.81 seconds and taking 0.07 seconds off Australian Cameron McEvoy's legitimate world record of 20.88 seconds, according to multiple reports. Deutsche Welle noted that Gkolomeev, who failed to win a medal in four Olympics, received a $1 million (€860,000) bonus for the achievement.

However, the results are not recognized by official authorities. As reported by BBC — World, the time is considered illegal by global sporting bodies because athletes at the Enhanced Games can take banned performance-enhancing drugs. Gkolomeev also wore a synthetic "supersuit" long banned at the Olympics.

James Magnussen, the Australian Olympic silver medallist and the first athlete to sign up for the event, finished last in the men's 100-metre freestyle, according to ABC Australia. Despite undergoing two years of supervised doping, Magnussen swam 49.44 seconds — over 2 seconds slower than his personal best. He was beaten by American Hunter Armstrong, who entered the event as a "non-enhanced athlete" and finished second in 48.09, a new personal best. Ireland's Shane Ryan trailed in third with 48.92.

Kristian Gkolomeev won the 100m freestyle in 46.60 seconds, 0.2 seconds outside of Pan Zhanle's world record of 46.40, as reported by ABC Australia.

Coverage Comparison

Coverage of the event varied in tone and emphasis. ABC Australia described the event as a "disappointment" for Magnussen and used terms like "doped-up" to describe the Australian's participation. In a separate report, ABC Australia took a critical view, calling the event a "circus" and a "clown show," while acknowledging it delivered on its promise of high-performance athletics.

BBC — World focused on the controversy surrounding the use of banned performance-enhancing drugs, reporting that the results are not recognized by official authorities. The broadcaster quoted Travis Tygart, CEO of the US Anti-Doping Agency, who told the BBC that while there are clear failures with the Olympics' anti-doping protocols, the answer is reforming the system, not to dope.

Deutsche Welle took a more celebratory tone in its headline, emphasizing Gkolomeev's achievement and prize money, while also quoting world sporting authorities who denounced the event as dangerous.

Key Claims

  • Kristian Gkolomeev broke the men's 50m freestyle world record with a time of 20.81 seconds at the Enhanced Games, as reported by BBC — World and Deutsche Welle.
  • The results of the Enhanced Games are not recognized by official authorities due to the use of banned performance-enhancing drugs, according to BBC — World.
  • James Magnussen finished last in the men's 100-metre freestyle at the Enhanced Games, as reported by ABC Australia.
  • The Enhanced Games feature athletes using performance-enhancing drugs, including testosterone and human growth hormone, as reported by BBC — World.
  • Athletes at the Enhanced Games can claim a $1 million bonus for breaking an existing world record, as reported by ABC Australia, BBC — World, and Deutsche Welle.
  • The International Olympic Committee and World Anti-Doping Agency have called the Enhanced Games a 'dangerous betrayal' of sports integrity, as reported by ABC Australia.
  • World sporting authorities have denounced the Enhanced Games as dangerous and say any new records will not be officially recognized, as reported by BBC — World and Deutsche Welle.
  • The Enhanced Games delivered on its promise of high-performance athletics, with 42 athletes competing in swimming, running, and weightlifting events, as reported by ABC Australia.
  • Health experts warn that anabolic steroids and growth hormones can cause strokes and cardiovascular damage, among other risks, as reported by BBC — World.

Perspectives

ABC Australia: Portrays the event as a disappointment for Magnussen and a "circus" that undermines sporting integrity, while acknowledging its commercial success.

BBC — World: Emphasizes the controversy and the lack of official recognition, quoting critics like USADA's Travis Tygart who argue for reforming the anti-doping system rather than abandoning it.

Deutsche Welle: Highlights Gkolomeev's record-breaking performance and prize money, while noting the denunciation by world sporting authorities as "dangerous."