LONDON, ENGLAND — In a stunning announcement, Olympic silver medallist swimmer Ben Proud has declared his retirement from traditional swimming to join the controversial Enhanced Games, an event that permits athletes to use performance-enhancing drugs. The 30-year-old British athlete, who won his first Olympic medal at the Paris Games, shared his decision on Instagram on Wednesday, sparking a wave of mostly negative reactions.
A “Shift” to Explore Human Potential
Proud, who is the first British athlete to join the new sporting event, framed his decision as a step towards pushing the boundaries of human performance. “It’s time for a shift,” Proud wrote. “I will be retiring from traditional swimming to compete in the Enhanced Games. Stepping into a framework that challenges everything we know about performance, and a chance to chase the outer edge of human potential with the tools and possibilities of our time. This is where my next chapter begins.”
Strong Condemnation from Aquatics GB
The announcement was met with swift and strong condemnation from Aquatics GB, the national governing body for swimming. In a statement, the organization expressed its profound disappointment, stating, “Aquatics GB, along with our partners, stand firmly behind the values and principles of clean sport and condemn Ben’s decision in the strongest terms.”
Speaking to the BBC, Proud defended his choice, arguing that he views traditional sports and the Enhanced Games as “two very separate entities.” He maintained that his participation does not undermine clean sport efforts, as he has already achieved everything he can in a regulated environment. “I really respect the sport I’ve been part of, and I would never step back in knowing I’ve done something which isn’t in the rules,” he added.
A One-Way Street for Competitors
The inaugural Enhanced Games competition is scheduled for May 2026 in Las Vegas, with swimming, athletics, and weightlifting on the agenda, much to the concern of anti-doping organizations worldwide. In response, World Aquatics announced a bylaw in June that would prevent any athlete or official who supports or endorses doping from competing in its sanctioned events, effectively making the move from traditional competition to the Enhanced Games a permanent one.
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