Article by Roxana Fleşeru – Published on Sunday, 09 November 2025, 13:19 / Updated on Sunday, 09 November 2025 13:32
Swedish swimmer Sarah Sjostrom (32), triple Olympic champion and winner of 14 world gold medals, expressed her disagreement with the participation certain swimmers at the Doping Games.
Sarah Sjostrom commented for SVT Sport about the participation of more and more swimmers in the Enhanced Games, a competition in which doping is allowed, which will take place in Las Vegas in May 2026.
Ben Proud, Marius Kusch or Shane Ryan are the last swimmers to join those who will participate in the Doped Games. “Of course I was disappointed with them. I don't think this competition deserves the media attention at all,” Sarah Sjöström told SVT Sport.
The competition, which will have events in swimming, athletics and weightlifting, is a controversial one. Participants are allowed to use doping substances under medical supervision. The event does not comply with the rules of the World Anti-Doping Agency, and the athletes are not subject to anti-doping tests. “It is very unfortunate. But there are some who chose to invest money because they like to see how good an athlete can become with the help of all illegal means.” Sjostrom said. The Swede won Olympic gold in Rio de Janeiro in 2016 in the 100m butterfly and in Paris 2024 in the 50m freestyle and 100m freestyle.
The use of supersuits, made of polyurethane, which improve the swimmer's position in the water and reduce water resistance, and which were banned in 2010, is also allowed.I think, for example, that Ben Proud could break the world record just by wearing the supersuit. So, he considers participating in the competition to be a financial gain. Some may choose to try to break the supersuit world record and see what results they get.” Sarah Sjostrom said.
No time below the current world record will be officially recorded as a record by the International Swimming Federation, World Aquatics. But these will mean staggering prize checks.
The world record bonus is $1 million in the 50m freestyle and 100m freestyle. The competitions also offer prize money and prize money of US$500,000 for each trial.
Sarah Sjostrom blocked participants on social media
Sjostrom believes money influenced the athletes' decision to participate in the Enhanced Games. But she hopes the competition won't go unnoticed. “I wish they didn't get so much media attention because they don't deserve it.
The problem is that if you give them media attention, there might be even more money for these athletes who choose to participate,” says Sjöström, who chose to block the flow of information about the competition. “I blocked and unfollow everyone who chooses to participate. I don't want to see anything about it on social media,” Sjostrom concluded.
9Sarah Sjöström set world records in her career in the butterfly and freestyle events
The Swede, who has an impressive career with six Olympic, 25 world and 28 European 50m medals, returned to training after becoming a mother this summer.
