Games 100m Medallist Kerley Signs Up for Performance-Enhanced Competition Weeks Following Suspension
The Games sprint medal medallist Fred Kerley will compete in the inaugural Enhanced Games, competition organisers revealed this week, just weeks after sports authorities issued the American a temporary ban for failing to report his location.
The Athlete Announces Landmark Decision
The 2022 sprint world champion is the first track athlete and American man to join the competition that permits athletes to use banned substances that are prohibited in traditional competition.
“I am excited to a fresh challenge and taking part at the Enhanced Games,” stated Kerley. “The world record has always been the ultimate goal of my career. This now gives me the opportunity to dedicate everything to testing my limits and turning into the quickest person to ever live.”
Enhanced Games: Innovation or Health Risk?
Organisers say that the Enhanced Games can help revolutionizing sports science as it bucks worldwide anti-doping standards, while opponents have criticized it as harmful to competitors' well-being.
Enhanced Games filed an anti-trust legal case against international swimming bodies, US swimming authorities and the World Anti-Doping Agency for up to $800m in August, alleging an illegal campaign to “crush” the competition. The anti-doping agency previously called the event as “dangerous and irresponsible”.
Expanding List of Top Athletes
Kerley is alongside a number of elite swimmers who have previously signed on for the games, including Olympic silver medallist athlete Ben Proud, the initial Briton to sign on.
“Fred’s decision to participate with us not only shows our goal of hosting the most exciting sports events available, but also strengthens the increasing appeal of the Enhanced Games as the next phase of top-tier sporting competition,” said the event chief executive, Maximilian Martin.
This inaugural Enhanced Games is set for Las Vegas in the month of May next year.
