Ben Proud, a Team GB Olympic silver medalist, has officially retired from traditional swimming to join the controversial Enhanced Games, set to take place in May 2026. This new competition, established by Australian businessman Aron D’Souza, will allow athletes to utilize performance-enhancing substances without the oversight of drug testing protocols. Proud, who recently clinched silver in the 50-metre freestyle at the 2024 Paris Games, cited the opportunity to explore human performance as a key motivation for his transition.
The Enhanced Games, which have garnered mixed reactions within the sports community, will not permit the use of cocaine or heroin. Proud made the announcement on his Instagram account, stating, “It’s time for a shift. 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.”
Proud has a distinguished swimming career, having won gold at the 2022 World Aquatics Championships in the 50-metre freestyle and previously becoming world champion in 2017. His accolades also include multiple titles from the Commonwealth Games, solidifying his status as a top competitor in the sport.
The concept of the Enhanced Games has faced criticism from various quarters. The UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) organization reiterated last year its commitment to “protect sport from doping cheats,” asserting that there is “no place in sport for performance-enhancing drugs, nor the Enhanced Games.” Prominent figures like World Athletics president Lord Coe have denounced participation in these games as “moronic,” warning that any athlete involved could face a lengthy ban from traditional competitions.
Proud is not alone in his decision to join the Enhanced Games. Greek swimmer Kristian Gkolomeev, Ukrainian swimmer Andriy Govorov, and Bulgarian swimmer Josif Miladinov, all of whom have made significant marks in their respective events, have also committed to participate. Additionally, Australian former world champion James Magnussen has come out of retirement to compete in the Enhanced Games in 2024.
The backing for the Enhanced Games includes a venture capital fund that features high-profile investors such as Donald Trump Jr. and billionaire entrepreneur Peter Thiel. As the inaugural event approaches, the debate surrounding the ethics and implications of allowing performance-enhancing substances in sports continues to unfold, raising crucial questions about the future of athletic competition and the pursuit of excellence.
As athletes like Proud make their choices, the landscape of competitive sports may be on the brink of significant transformation. The implications extend beyond individual careers, potentially reshaping how performance is perceived and regulated at all levels of competition.
