As They Join Doping Games, Will Magnussen & Hawke Be Banned For Life From Olympic & World Aquatics Events?
In what could be a permanent split with all involvement in official competitive swimming and Olympic sport, Australians James Magnussen and Brett Hawke are expected to be confirmed as swimmer and head coach in Enhanced Games when the doping sports event launches today
Two Australian sprinters may have permanently cut their ties to all environments that take place under the rules of World Aquatics and the World Anti-Doping Code not long after 4pm Las Vegas time today.
James Magnussen and Brett Hawke are expected to be confirmed as swimmer and head coach, respectively, in the Enhanced Games when the doping sports event launches today.
What will that mean for them in the Olympic/World Aquatics realm?
SOS has asked World Aquatics to clarify the position of any athletes or coaches who opt into the doping games.
Brent Nowicki, the executive director of World Aquatics and a former managing counsel and head of the anti-doping division at the Court of Arbitration for Sport, has already made the position clear. When the Enhanced Games was considered by the New York Times last November, the director called it “a farce, and an extremely dangerous one." He added the words that reflect the federation's prevailing position:
“My view is that anybody who takes part in this event should never be allowed to be involved in any sport ever again. It cuts against everything that we are trying to prevent. I am uncomfortable giving the event any publicity, as our young athletes need role models who are clean from doping. Any person who dopes is taking enormous risk with their health.”
In a statement issued o SOS this evening, World Aquatics noted:
"The Enhanced Games are not a sporting competition built on universal values like honesty, fairness and equity: they are a circus, built on shortcuts. The enduring power of athletes to serve as role models for children and adults alike relies on their talent, hard work, respect and friendship. That’s what we see in our champions and in our competitions, and that’s what we’ll continue to showcase.
"The way to a long, healthy and happy sporting life is readily available. It doesn’t require a costly cocktail of anti-ageing drugs. Train consistently, eat well, rest well and enjoy the company of other athletes. This is something we already know from the millions of masters swimmers who continue to regularly set new records for human performance at the World Masters Aquatics Masters Championships, some aged over 100. We invite the world to come and learn from these true champions as they compete again in Singapore this summer."
