Retired Olympic swimmer Shane Ryan set for Enhanced Games where performance-enhancing drugs allowed

Ireland’s Shane Ryan celebrates with his bronze medal at the 2024 World Aquatics Short Course Swimming Championships in Budapest. Pic: Andrea Masini, Inpho

Retired Irish Olympic swimmer Shane Ryan is set to compete in this year's 'Enhanced Games', where performance enhancing drugs are permitted.

The three-time Olympian last week announced he was stepping away from competitive swimming, saying he was looking forward to giving back to the sport by "mentoring the next generation and staying involved in the swimming community".

Now he confirms he will compete in May's new event, saying he wants to "test the maximum of what my body is truly capable of". Swim Ireland said it is "disappointed" by Ryan's decision, and added that it will not be providing any funding or services to the swimmer. 

Pennsylvania-born Ryan, 31, moved to Ireland in 2014 and became the first Irishman to swim at three Olympic Games (Rio 2016, Tokyo 2021, Paris 2024). He is also the first Irish swimmer to win a World Short Course Medal.

"After a decade dedicated to traditional competition on the world’s highest stage, I'm excited to dive into this next chapter with the Enhanced Games,” Ryan said. “I've always wanted to know the absolute maximum of what my body is truly capable of, and here, with the focus on athlete health, safety, and transparency, I finally get that chance. I'm ready to embrace this new era, and hopefully smash my personal bests and challenge the World Records."

The Enhanced Games is a multi-sport event founded by Australian businessman Aron D'Souza. D'Souza claims he created the event because he believes that athletes are entitled to do what they wish with their own bodies. Prohibited class A drugs such as cocaine and heroin are not allowed to be used, but banned performance enhancing drugs are permitted. 

"Swim Ireland is committed to elevating our world ranking through dedication, innovation, and adherence to the highest standards of clean competition," the governing body said in a statement.

"We believe that true athletic excellence is achieved through hard work and fair play, and we remain steadfast in our commitment to Sport Ireland and WADA's anti-doping regulations.

"In that light, we are disappointed by Shane Ryan's decision to sign an agreement with the Enhanced Games and can advise that in line with his retirement in October he is no longer associated with Swim Ireland's National Team and further to that, will not be provided with any funding or services by the NGB going forward."

The inaugural event is set for May 24 at a purpose-built complex at Resorts World, Las Vegas. Each individual event will carry a total prize purse of $500,000, with $250,000 for gold medalists.

Ryan joins other high-level swimmers like Ben Proud, Kristian Gkolomeev, James Magnussen, Andrii Govorov, Marius Kusch, Josif Miladinov, and Megan Romano in committing to the competition.

"We're thrilled to welcome Shane Ryan to the Enhanced Games. Shane already ranks among the world's elite, and his decision to join our roster of top-tier swimmers is another huge vote of confidence,” said Maximilian Martin, CEO of the Enhanced Games. “When Shane hits the pool next May, the world will be watching a must-see event—a genuine quest for new World Records. He recognizes the energy and potential we're unlocking here, and we couldn't be more excited to support his journey."

The US sprinter Fred Kerley, currently under provisional suspension by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) for whereabouts failures, last month talked about why he signed up for the Games.  "Only thing about signing up to this game is to make money, protect my future."

Anti-doping agencies have slammed the competition, with the head of the US Anti-Doping Agency,  Travis Tygart, calling it a 'clown show'.

Sebastian Coe, the president of World Athletics, said it is a "moronic" idea.