Some guy won a million bucks for swimming 50m in a pool with a wetsuit on.

I know. Awesome, right? Should be stoked for the guy. He's Greek. He's an athlete. He broke a world record. 

Problem is, he was taking performance enhancing drugs and the wetsuit was not legit. You wouldn't get away with that at the Olympics. 

But what I can understand is the backlash, the tut-tutting, from the medical professionals and sporting bodies. 

They're upset for two reasons. 

1. These athletes are potentially putting themselves at risk, medically. 
2. It undermines traditional non-doping sports. 

One the first point, isn't that a bit rich? 

Isn't it a bit hypocritical or the medical fraternity, who relies on medical trials of patients with sometimes unknown long-term consequences and risks. 

This Greek guy just made a million bucks. That's money he can use to feed his family and change his life. 

Are we really going to judge?

And as for the sport argument. Name me a sport that doesn't result in long-term injuries or medical problems down the line. Except for maybe competitive walking? 

Especially at professional level. Is boxing 100% safe? Can rugby claim no concussions? How many horse riders you know in wheelchairs?

I'm not saying there's anything wrong with sport being dangerous. 

It's human nature - we love challenging ourselves and sometimes that challenge can lead to damage or death. 

We're thrill-seekers, essentially. 

The enhanced games are basically that on steroids, literally. 

If you don't like, don't watch, but don't judge a guy banking a million bucks just for going for a swim. 

Some guy won a million bucks for swimming 50m in a pool with a wetsuit on.
I know. Awesome, right? Should be stoked for the guy. He's Greek. He's an athlete. He broke a world record.&nbsp;
Problem is, he was taking performance enhancing drugs and the wetsuit was not legit. You wouldn't get away with that at the Olympics.&nbsp;
But what I can understand is the backlash, the tut-tutting, from the medical professionals and sporting bodies.&nbsp;
They're upset for two reasons.&nbsp;
1. These athletes are potentially putting themselves at risk, medically.&nbsp; 2. It undermines traditional non-doping sports.&nbsp;
One the first point, isn't that a bit rich?&nbsp;
Isn't it a bit hypocritical or the medical fraternity, who relies on medical trials of patients with sometimes unknown long-term consequences and risks.&nbsp;
This Greek guy just made a million bucks. That's money he can use to feed his family and change his life.&nbsp;
Are we really going to judge?
And as for the sport argument.&nbsp;Name me a sport that doesn't result in long-term injuries or medical problems down the line. Except for maybe competitive walking?&nbsp;
Especially at professional level. Is boxing 100% safe? Can rugby claim no concussions? How many horse riders you know in wheelchairs?
I'm not saying there's anything wrong with sport being dangerous.&nbsp;
It's human nature - we love challenging ourselves and sometimes that challenge can lead to damage or death.&nbsp;
We're thrill-seekers, essentially.&nbsp;
The enhanced games are basically that on steroids, literally.&nbsp;
If you don't like, don't watch, but don't judge a guy banking a million bucks just for going for a swim.&nbsp;

A fresh and intelligent start to your day - catch the very latest international and domestic news developments, sport, entertainment and business on Early Edition with Ryan Bridge, on Newstalk ZB.

A fresh and intelligent start to your day - catch the very latest international and domestic news developments, sport, entertainment and business on Early Edition with Ryan Bridge, on Newstalk ZB.

Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

Ryan Bridge: Enhanced games just a bit of fun

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/e77eef55-77b8-4e48-b946-b455012c76cc/transcript