Leon Marchand Issues Biting Response to Enhanced Games Recruiting Pitch: ‘This is sad’
The premier swimmer in the world issued a simple, three-word response that sums up his thoughts on the Enhanced Games.
“This is sad.”
That was the Instagram comment from Frenchman Leon Marchand in response to an apparent recruiting pitch by the Enhanced Games to the four-time Olympic champion. The Enhanced Games, which will allow the use of performance-enhancing drugs and banned suit technology, tagged Marchand in a social-media post to suggest he should join the newly launched project.
In the Instagram post, which was accompanied by video of Kristian Gkolomeev swimming 20.89 in the 50 freestyle in a now-banned Jaked suit, the Enhanced Games said: “This shows what human potential is truly capable of. Watch the documentary and join us at www.enhanced.com/athletes. Break world records, push your limits, and reach new heights with world-class health support, a stronger legacy, and a better paycheck.”
Marchand replied with simplicity that captures the same sentiment that some of his fellow athletes have echoed, including Australian Olympic champions Ariarne Titmus and Cameron McEvoy: The Enhanced Games are a slap in the face to clean athletes willing to put in the proper work and not take shortcuts.”
The Frenchman, who recently posted a 4:07 performance in the 400 individual medley at the Longhorn Elite Invite, has packaged a career based on what the Enhanced Games pushed in its pitch. Marchand has broken world records. He’s pushed his limits. He’s reached, and taken the sport, to new heights. And…he’s done it all without the use of PEDs and within the current suit guidelines.
Through his short comment, he has also demonstrated the leadership role he is willing to take as the face of his sport.
The reigning Olympic champion in the 200 individual medley, 400 IM, 200 breaststroke and 200 butterfly, Marchand is preparing for this summer’s World Championships, which will begin in late July in Singapore.
