Olympic Medallist Becomes First Brit to Join Controversial Enhanced Games
An Olympic medallist has become the first British athlete to sign up for the controversial Enhanced Games.
The Enhanced Games are being headed by Australian businessman Aron D'Souza, and athletes taking part will be allowed to take performance-enhancing drugs without being subject to drug testing.
Originally, the event was planned to take place in 2025, but it is now set to take place in Nevada next year.
On Wednesday, it was announced that swimmer Ben Proud has become the first British athlete to join the Enhanced Games.
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Proud, 30, is a world and European champion at 50m freestyle and won the silver medal during the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
Having never won Olympic gold or broke the world record in the 50m freestyle, Proud believes the Enhanced Games "give me a new opportunity to continue this pursuit and see how far I can take things".
Explaining his decision to ditch international competitions for the Enhanced Games, Proud said to BBC Sport: "We have access to some of the greatest specialists out there to make sure that everything will be an informed decision.
"Everything is FDA approved. Everything's readily available to the general public. It's done under very strict supervision from doctors and health care professionals, and I will never take anything that I am unsure of."
He added: "They are not allowing anyone to participate if they are under any stress or health risks.
"I'm very curious as to what could be done to feel better in certain aspects of the race or training. I have the next three, four months to figure out what it is. After that, ultimately, I have the decision to say I want to take it or not."
Aquatics GB issue statement on Ben Proud
In response, Aquatics GB issued a strongly worded statement on social media.
It read: "Aquatics GB is immensely disappointed in Ben Proud's announcement to sign with the Enhanced Games.
"Aquatics GB, along with our partners, stand firmly behind the values and principles of clean sport and condemns Ben's decision in the strongest terms. A further statement will be issued in due course."
Marcus Chan