The Australian dubbed “The Missile” and first signing to the scrutinised Enhanced Games has finished last in the debut 100m freestyle.
James Magnussen finished behind three competitors in his event, clocking nearly three seconds behind winner Kristian Gkolomeev of Greece.
Gkolomeev’s 46.6s was narrowly short of Chinese star Pan Zhanle’s world record time of 46.4s set at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Magnussen – wearing an ostentatious gold swimsuit – touched the wall after 49.44 seconds in Las Vegas on Monday morning.
The 35-year-old’s time was more than two seconds slower than his personal best (47.10s), which was recorded at the Australian Olympic selection trials in 2012.
Magnussen famously told a podcast “I’ll juice to the gills and I’ll break (a world record) in six months” when he announced his intention to join the Enhanced Games.
Despite not finishing on the podium, Magnussen will still take home $70,000 for competing in the race.
There is about $350,000 on offer for all winners and $1.4m for breaking the world record in the 50m freestyle.
This is a huge financial incentive, given Australian swimmers take home $40,000 for collecting a gold medal in the Olympics.
The Enhanced Games – which allows athletes to use performance-enhancing drugs – is backed by private equity, tech billionaires and entrepreneurial investment funds.
Magnussen still has a chance to strike it rich by competing in the 50m freestyle.
