Former Team GB swimmer Ben Proud has firmly denied that the Enhanced Games will encourage young athletes to dope. Currently earning a mid six-figure salary, Proud could potentially secure an additional $1.25 million on Sunday night by breaking the 50m freestyle world record.

In response to World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) concerns, Proud acknowledged the complexity of the issue but emphasized the integrity of the athletes involved:

“If you understand the stories of the people who are here, you’ll understand that we’ve done our career clean.”
He expressed confidence in the safety of the environment at the Enhanced Games, stating, “I’m not worried about my reputation,” as he navigates the shift in public perception.

Proud also recognized that performance-enhancing drugs and banned polyurethane skinsuits could help him and his Greek competitor Kristian Gkolomeev swim faster than ever, estimating a potential time decrease of one to two percent.

Another British athlete, Reece Prescod, who recently came out of retirement to join the Games, defended his decision, stating, “I’m not a bad boy, and I’ve not broken any rules.” He noted a growing interest among athletes in joining the Enhanced Games, though he doubted that many would follow suit due to the stigma.

Rick Adams, the Enhanced Games’ chief sporting officer, assured that all systems and standards meet international regulations. Meanwhile, Max Martin, the CEO of the Enhanced Games, controversially compared the event to the Super Bowl, arguing that the use of performance-enhancing substances is already prevalent in society.

WADA has condemned the Enhanced Games as “a dangerous and irresponsible concept,” citing the serious long-term side effects and risks associated with doping.