British Olympic Swimmer Joins Enhanced Games
By Prof Dr Ian Blackshaw
It has been announced that the British swimmer, Ben Proud, who is 30 years old, a world and European champion in 50m freestyle and winner of a silver medal at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, has become the first British athlete to join the controversial Enhanced Games.
The Enhanced Games were launched as a concept in 2023 and allow, under medical supervision, the use of certain performance enhancing drugs that are approved by the United States' Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
The Enhanced Games are planned to be held annually, initially comprising short-distance swimming, sprinting and weightlifting, with the inaugural event taking place in the US in Las Vegas from 21-24 May 2026.
Earlier this year, World Aquatics became the first international sports federation to ban athletes, coaches and officials from its events if they have taken part in the Enhanced Games.
It has also been reported that UK Sport is working urgently with Aquatics GB to determine Ben Proud's suitability to receive public funds as any breach of anti-doping rules contravenes policies that athletes must comply with to receive such funding.
UK Sport stated that:
"It condemns everything the Enhanced Games stands for in the strongest possible terms."
And added that:
“It is incredibly disappointed that any British athletes in its programmes would support such an event.”
Aquatics GB has also expressed its “immense” disappointment regarding Proud’s announcement that he is joining the Enhanced Games.
Proud, however, insisted that what he is doing is not undermining 'clean' sport!
And added that:
"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 …. [and the organisers] …. aren't asking me to take anything.
They are not allowing anyone to participate if they are under any stress or health risks."
Prof Dr Ian Blackshaw may be contacted by e-mail at ‘
