Doping games: Kusch about Enhanced Games: “Other World” with your own rules

In a video, swimmer Marius Kusch has detailed position on his much criticized promise from the Enhanced Games. At the event, world records should also be set up with the help of doping agents. In the contribution, which is spread on Instagram, Kusch repeatedly emphasizes that the strongly controversial event and traditional swimming sport have to be considered separately.

“It is really important that this system that the traditional swimming system remains clean. I will always work for that,” said the 32-year-old. “This is not” we against you “. The Enhanced Games are different, separate unit. I see this as an entertainment.” Kusch, who has been the only German to previously agreed to participate, also said: “The Enhanced Games are another world with their own rules.”

The 2019 short railway champion also talks about concrete news that he received after the publication of his decision – among other things about health risks. “As athlete, we have full autonomy as to whether a substance comes into your body and what substance comes into your body,” he said. He could decide for himself what he wanted to do in this regard and whether he wanted to do anything at all. It is also exclusively about substances that have already been prescribed by doctors.

Kusch also responded to his reasons for participation. He does not deny that money has contributed a large part to decide. “I don’t see what is wrong to capitalize a skill that I developed during my career,” he said. The swimmer who lives in the USA also said: “There are a lot of things at the Enhanced Games who are interested in.”

The Enhanced Games are scheduled for the first time in May 2026 in Las Vegas. Three sports are planned for this: swimming, athletics and weightlifting with selected disciplines. Kusch wants to compete over 50 and 100 meters of butterfly. His announcement of participation had been sharply criticized by the German Swimming Association.