British Olympic medallist Ben Proud signs up for 'Enhanced Games'; UK Sport threatens to withdraw funding

Ben Proud, a British Olympic silver medallist, has become the first United Kingdom athlete to sign up for the planned "Enhanced Games," a competition that permits the use of performance-enhancing drugs, prompting swift condemnation from UK Sport and Aquatics GB and raising the prospect of lost public funding and international bans.

UK Sport said it "condemns everything the Enhanced Games stands for in the strongest possible terms" and confirmed it is urgently assessing Proud's suitability to receive public funds. The government-funded body warned that any breach of anti-doping rules would be contrary to the requirements for receiving UK Sport support and indicated it could withdraw financial backing.

Proud, 30, who won silver in Paris, defended his decision in an interview with the BBC, saying the event offers "a new opportunity" after he believes he has "achieved everything" in conventional competition. "I definitely don't think that's undermining a clean sport," he said, adding that he would not return to competition if he had knowingly contravened rules of his sport.

World Aquatics has already moved to ban athletes who participate in the Enhanced Games, and by signing up Proud will be ineligible for sanctioned international competition, effectively ruling him out of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics under current regulations. Aquatics GB said it is "immensely disappointed" in Proud's announcement and that it stands "firmly behind the values and principles of clean sport."

Organisers of the inaugural Enhanced Games plan to stage the event in Las Vegas in May next year, with competitions proposed in swimming, track and field and weightlifting. The project is backed by a group called 1789 Equity and its founder, Aron D'Souza, has said it has obtained funding in the "double-digit millions." Prize purses of up to $500,000 per event and record bonuses starting at $250,000 have been advertised.

The World Anti-Doping Agency described the concept as "dangerous and irresponsible," and the head of the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, Travis Tygart, called it "a clown show." The British Olympic Association said it remained "vehemently opposed" to what it called a "cynical and dangerous event."

Proud is a former world and European champion in the 50-metre freestyle and has previously supported UK Anti-Doping initiatives such as Clean Sport Week. Team-mates including Adam Peaty and Duncan Scott have publicly opposed doping. UK Sport and Aquatics GB responses underscore a wider concern among national and international bodies that participation in events that permit drug use would undermine athlete welfare, public trust and the integrity of sanctioned sport.

Organisers have argued the Enhanced Games are intended to challenge the current anti-doping status quo and attract athletes with the promise of large financial rewards. The event has also drawn political and public scrutiny because of reported ties to high-profile backers and unconventional messaging around drug use in sport.

UK Sport's statement said it was engaging with partners to determine the implications for funding and athlete support. Until a formal decision is reached, the body reiterated that compliance with anti-doping rules is a condition of public investment in Olympic and Paralympic programmes.

Proud's announcement comes amid increasing debate over athlete welfare, the effectiveness of current anti-doping systems and the commercial pressures facing elite sportspeople. For now, the practical consequence of his choice is clear under existing rules: participation in the Enhanced Games will lead to exclusion from competition authorised by governing bodies that adhere to World Anti-Doping Agency standards.

Further statements from Aquatics GB and UK Sport are expected as those organisations complete their reviews of Proud's status and funding eligibility. Meanwhile, the Enhanced Games organisers continue to promote the Las Vegas event, and international federations have warned athletes that involvement could trigger disciplinary action and suspension from sanctioned sport.