Swimmer Max McCusker joins the controversial Enhanced Games

Max McCusker has become the second Irish Olympic swimmer to join the controversial Enhanced Games, a competition that allows athletes to take banned performance-enhancing drugs under medical supervision.

This follows Irish swimmer Shane Ryan, who announced his participation back in October.

The games will feature a four-lane 50-metre pool, a six-lane sprint track, and a weightlifting stage.

Each event will have a total prize of $500,000 (€432,000), with the winner receiving $250,000 (€216,000).

Athletes who break world records in the 100m sprint and the 50m freestyle receive $1 million (€864,000).

McCusker is an Olympian and multiple-time Irish record holder and national champion. McCusker holds the Irish records for the 50m butterfly, the 100m butterfly, and the 4x100m relay. He is also an Irish national champion in the 50m butterfly and 50m freestyle.

"If you don’t get it, you weren’t meant to," said McCusker on a post on his Instagram announcing his decision to join the games.

Sports Ireland expressed their 'deep disappointment' when Ryan joined the games in October and reminded the public of the dangers of performance-enhancing drugs.

"Performance-enhancing drugs aren't just banned because they can give athletes an unfair advantage," said Sport Ireland.

"Many are banned because they can seriously harm athletes' health. Some of these substances can cause severe, long-lasting medical problems. In extreme cases, athletes have died from using these dangerous drugs."

The first Enhanced Games is set for May 2026 in Las Vegas.