11.09.2025 20:20
In a significant career shift, decorated British freestyle swimmer and Olympic silver medalist Ben Proud has announced he will be joining the controversial Enhanced Games. The move establishes him as the first swimmer from Great Britain to commit to the pioneering event, which has drawn widespread attention for its policy of permitting athletes to use performance-enhancing drugs.
The 30-year-old Olympian, who is retiring from traditional swimming, shared his decision via online sources on Wednesday, framing it as a necessary evolution. He expressed a desire to operate within a framework that "challenges everything we know about performance," embracing the chance to explore the absolute limits of human potential with the aid of modern science. Proud proclaimed that this bold step marks the beginning of his career's next chapter.
Having competed in three separate Olympic Games and secured six world titles in long-course championships, Proud feels he has exhausted his potential within the sport's existing structure. His decision is also fueled by what he describes as "incredibly frustrating" doping scandals that have plagued professional swimming. Citing the controversy surrounding 23 Chinese swimmers who were permitted to compete in the Tokyo Olympics despite testing positive for a banned substance, he asserted that the official responses have failed to adequately restore faith in the integrity of the system.
Despite the contentious nature of his new venture, Proud insists that his participation is not meant to "undermine" clean sport but rather to pursue new opportunities in a different direction. He emphasized a commitment to his well-being, stating that he would never use a substance he was unsure about and highlighted that the Enhanced Games will not permit any athlete to compete if they are under undue stress or face health risks. The inaugural event is scheduled to take place in Las Vegas.
