Ben Proud: Why I signed as much as the Enhanced Games – and my response to doping critics

Last summer time, British swimmer Ben Proud received his first Olympic silver medal within the 50-metre freestyle. Last month, he received his fifth medal within the World Championships.

He is an athlete on the peak of his powers, who had spoken of concentrating on the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles and successful his first gold medal on the Games. But not: Proud, 30, has as an alternative dedicated to compete on the inaugural Enhanced Games in May, a contest which allows rivals to take performance-enhancing medicine.

Founded by Aron D’Souza, an Australian entrepreneur, and funded by traders equivalent to Donald Trump Jr, the brand new competitors guarantees a $1million prize for any athlete who breaks a world report of their flagship dash occasions.

Its angle in direction of doping has been criticised, with the World Anti-Doping Agency calling it a “dangerous concept that ignores decades of medical evidence”, nevertheless it has attracted 5 swimmers thus far, and now six, together with Proud.

In June, World Aquatics — swimming’s international governing physique — confirmed that any athlete, coach or official could be banned from collaborating of their occasions if they’d endorsed or competed within the Enhanced Games, making the transition a one-way road.

The Athletic spoke completely to Proud about his motivations for signing as much as the Enhanced Games, what the brand new competitors affords that the Olympic pathway couldn’t and what the implications might be for him and sport typically.

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The Athletic: Tell us the way you got here to this determination. Who reached out?

Proud: My first reminiscence of Enhanced is when (Olympic gold medal winner) James Magnussen was first approached (in early 2024) and it was sort of like, ‘If you break the world records, Peter Thiel (a major Enhanced Games investor) is going to offer $1million.’

But it wasn’t actually till May when the information got here that Kristian Gkolomeev, a longtime pal and competitor of mine, had damaged the world report, that actuality hit and it was like, ‘OK, this is the real deal.’ I simply admire the truth that now there’s this entire new avenue the place world data could be crushed.

It (the method) took me without warning, and I had to consider it for some time. But then it simply felt like that is one thing that’s actually suited to me. I really like the pursuit of perfecting our craft and I’ve obtained the talent in swimming, which I’ve developed over time.

It wasn’t till a few months later — possibly 5, six weeks in the past — that the true dialog began occurring round whether or not I wished to be part of the crew. I’m turning 31 subsequent week, and I used to be searching for a change, a brand new stimulus, a brand new factor to pursue, and it simply felt like too good a chance to show down

The Athletic: Did you get any assurances, both financially or medically, as a result of it appears fairly a threat?

Proud: I’m fairly fortunate. I’ve obtained a terrific agent who takes care of me very well, and he managed most of these conversations. But I had to take a look at it from the broadest perspective by way of my long-term profession: what the impacts of this might be, the way it might have an effect on me, and weigh up the professionals and cons. And I’m sitting right here now as a result of the professionals undoubtedly outweigh the cons.

But that is nonetheless very a lot a studying curve. I’m solely saying my participation. It’s not one thing that I’m absolutely understanding of. I’ve obtained these subsequent 4 months to actually dive into it and perceive the method and the way it seems with all the brand new guidelines and codecs. But principally, that is me saying my retirement from the normal format — due to this blanket ban (to Enhanced Games athletes), we sort of should.

The Athletic: You stated this summer time about how excited you have been for L.A. 2028, due to the brand new 50m butterfly occasion. To do such a 180-degree flip, was that one thing that simply out of the blue sparked in you, or was it a gradual course of?

Proud: I feel what was stated to the media was what the media wished to listen to. I’m very supportive of the Olympic system, and I’m one of many fundamental guys within the sprinting world, however my preliminary response to them bringing within the 50 fly wasn’t vastly optimistic. I really like the format that we had and I didn’t see a cause to vary that, though clearly it did profit me. At the time, I used to be like: OK, I can take into consideration how I can change my coaching, and possibly the 50 fly is a little more of a severe contender for me.

But like I stated, I’m 30 now, and I’ve performed this for a very long time. The motivation has dwindled in sure methods. So I might have performed it, and there’s very a lot a world the place I might see myself going to 2028, however I used to be actually forcing myself. Whereas with this new, contemporary format, out of the blue the motivation is evident. It’s not one thing I’ve to chase. It’s one thing that’s contemporary, thrilling, and I really feel like I’m seeking to begin my worldwide profession another time. So, yeah, I absolutely acknowledge that I’m stepping away from Olympic success in 2028, however I haven’t had any regrets about that.

The Athletic: What’s been the response from family and friends, and team-mates?

Proud: Very optimistic. I didn’t understand how folks would react, in order that was my largest concern. The backside line was that offered the 15, 20 individuals who I deem as closest to me — household, pals, people who find themselves particular — perceive my determination and are supportive of it, then I’ll be actually joyful. But it seems that everybody — my mum, dad, brother, all my pals — has simply been actually excited and so they see the good thing about this new format as properly. So I haven’t but obtained any unfavourable suggestions.

People query some issues however I really feel like I’ve understood sufficient in regards to the safety of this occasion and the great it could possibly deliver to really feel very, very settled on that. The announcement will probably be an enormous day and I’m curious to see how the reactions will probably be. The swimming group could be very tight-knit and there’ll in all probability be much more blended opinions inside that, however by way of the broader public, who may not have any Olympic curiosity, I feel it is a probability to herald some actually excited new eyes to the game, which can do swimming some good.

The Athletic: Do you suppose many athletes will observe you?

Proud: Who is aware of? I feel it’s very a lot a private determination. I’ve been by means of the whole lot you are able to do in swimming and, for me, it’s the correct match. If it feels proper for another person and so they wish to pursue it, then wonderful, nevertheless it may not be.

The Athletic: How are you approaching the performance-enhancing medicine side? Is it one thing that you simply already know rather a lot about?

Proud: I’ve at all times been working throughout the Olympic pathway below such strict controls over what you’ll be able to take. I conformed to the foundations and utilized myself the very best I might. So I’m actually coming into this blind, however I feel I’m in good arms. The folks I’ve spoken to from Enhanced have given me plenty of reassurance, and I really feel like I’m within the most secure place to take advantage of knowledgeable selections as a result of we’ve got a few of the best specialists from world wide.

There’s rather a lot to determine. We’re entering into a really fashionable method to sports activities, which opens up so many extra alternatives, and I feel it’s going to be fairly thrilling. That’s in all probability the place my motivation comes from. I’ve performed the identical factor yr in, yr out for 15 years and out of the blue it’s going to vary.

The Athletic: But is there a flip aspect to that unknown? The factor that worries you or has held you again earlier than, how have you ever reconciled that?

Proud: Health might be the most important factor that folks speak about, however I’m very sure that nothing I do will affect me long run, based mostly on all of the protocols I’ve been advised about and the way they’re going to handle it. Again, I really feel like I’m within the most secure place for this. But as of now, I’m going to be taught as a lot as I can, and converse to the individuals who’ve been a part of it and perceive the professionals and cons of the whole lot that will be obtainable to us, in order that I could make an knowledgeable determination.

I’m not going to enter this considering, ‘Just take anything you want.’ That’s not who I’m and I don’t suppose that’s going to be useful in sports activities. This is cutting-edge sports activities delivered to individuals who have by no means seen it earlier than. But it’s going to be fascinating as a result of previously 15 years, my profession has been very plain. Even if I’m sick, I take paracetamol, possibly ibuprofen, however I avoid any pharmaceutical issues which may assist you really feel higher as a result of the danger of contamination is simply too excessive. So I’m going to be open to plenty of new issues, nevertheless it’s going to be a matter of studying about it, seeing if it is going to assist after which going with that.

The Athletic: Have there been any particular choices supplied to you you could discuss?

Proud: I in all probability couldn’t let you know about something. I used to be despatched a really temporary record of issues which might be obtainable and a few appear actually fascinating as a result of, for me, it’s extra in regards to the restoration aspect, so these are those that I’m seeking to discover. If you ask this query once more in six months, I’ll be capable of offer you a significantly better reply.

The Athletic: Have you ever been tempted to make use of performance-enhancing medicine earlier than?

Proud: No. In swimming, it’s actually robust. The anti-doping state of affairs is sort of irritating. You hear tales about folks doing stuff or sure swimmers getting caught out however, as a UK athlete, the foundations that we observe are so, so strict, it’s simply by no means one thing that you simply even contemplate.

But I do really feel like (the anti-doping guidelines) are an outdated system that enables for folks to slide below the radar. We accomplish that a lot to attempt to verify our names are clear — each day testing, being obtainable any time of the day — but the massive majority of swimming followers or most of the people nonetheless suppose that high-level performers are taking one thing, which is extremely irritating. And for me, personally, I’ve been below scrutiny due to my physique and the way in which I look, so persons are like, ‘Oh, he must be doping.’

For a few years, that basically affected me. I want they may come and see my day-to-day life and the way strict and managed the whole lot is. But even doing that isn’t sufficient to clear your identify, so I’m placing that behind me and entering into this new format.

The Athletic: Is that a part of the explanation why you wished to hitch Enhanced, on account of this stress you’ve had about doping?

Proud: No, under no circumstances. There is an fascinating side to taking one thing and enhancing efficiency, so you’ll be able to say: ‘This is me when I was clean, this is me when I’m taking these enhancers.’ But I don’t know the way it will affect me as a result of it (doping) has simply by no means crossed my thoughts as one thing I wish to do, as a result of I’ve at all times been absolutely compliant with the foundations.

The Athletic: Do you instantly surrender your National Lottery funding, and are your sponsors proud of the state of affairs?

Proud: I’m going into this contract as a solo individual. I’m not taking any prior contracts into this. But there’s nonetheless rather a lot to be discovered. I don’t understand how Aquatics GB will take this information; that’ll be discovered when the announcement is made. But I’m stepping away from that pathway, so I think about I will probably be forfeiting any rights to Lottery funding and I assume it could be the response from the governing physique as properly. Some contracts, we’ve spoken to them and stated we are going to reduce ties and transfer on.

The Athletic: In phrases of the Enhanced Games, is there a assured method of being profitable in the long run, or does all of it rely on how properly you do on the occasions on the day?

Proud: There’s no understanding what the response goes to be: it might be actually optimistic and produce much more curiosity. But my solely focus is to do in addition to doable on the Games. I’m simply joyful to be part of a contest that basically embodies efficiency. They’re placing some huge cash in direction of world data and so they actually worth the efficiency aspect of it.

The Athletic: On that subject, what are you most excited by? Is it simply going quick?

Proud: Yeah. It’s humorous as a result of it’s exhausting to explain the sensation of going by means of a race. It’s 21 seconds, so from the surface, it appears like not a lot truly goes on. But internally — and that is what I’ve fallen in love with within the sport — there’s an entire heap of issues that it’s important to undergo mentally and bodily. And that in the end is what’s driving me to go down this route. I’ll get an opportunity to actually excel within the talent that I’ve developed over this profession.

And I really feel it is going to change fairly a bit as a result of I’m 30 years previous, restoration is a bit slower and subsequently attending to peak efficiency is a protracted, boring, tiring highway. So I’m simply excited to carry out in addition to I’ve ever performed.

The Athletic: If you may have children sooner or later, is this type of path one thing you’d suggest or encourage?

Proud: I’d by no means encourage the enhancement route for youths. That’s like recommending alcohol. I’m making this determination for myself, however I feel the youthful technology is a subject of rivalry and it’s one thing that’s going to be tough to handle. But I feel there are a lot greater points and issues which might be price coping with first. Lots of youngsters wish to smoke, drink alcohol — all these items have a lot greater dangers.

But with regards to youthful people within the sporting world, nothing beats happening the Olympic pathway. I feel it’s important to perceive your physique and undergo these 10,000 hours of actually gruelling observe and simply get that graft performed and change into the very best model of your self. I’m standing right here in any case these years and all of these hours of observe and am making my determination based mostly on that. I’m not making it 10 years in the past. I do know my physique, I do know my thoughts.

The Athletic: Do you suppose the Enhanced Games might ever eclipse the Olympics?

Proud: I can’t converse for the Enhanced Games by way of what their finish objective is by way of competing in opposition to the Olympics, however I do suppose this will have a optimistic impact on the present format of (common) competitors. There’s a necessity for change. It’s been fairly outdated for a while. And I feel there’s something good that may come from this, from folks eager to make that transfer, from stepping away from the pathway, which nobody has ever been in a position to do. So I feel this may hopefully set off a mirrored image on how issues might be completely different and higher. Ultimately, competitors is an effective factor.

The Athletic: When you speak in regards to the outdated system, what has annoyed you?

Proud: The one which involves thoughts is the truth that Olympic athletes are nonetheless thought of amateurs, particularly being a British athlete. I feel we’re certainly one of three nations that get no financial compensation for performing properly on the Olympics. Competitions depend on the truth that athletes wish to do that for all of the optimistic belongings you get from reaching Olympic podiums. But I feel there actually is a necessity for change, whether or not it’s from the International Olympic Committee or governing our bodies.

People want to grasp that athletes don’t receives a commission as a lot as they may suppose. You get a handshake and a pat on the again and are advised, ‘Good job.’ And you safe funding for the following 12 months, and then you definately’re simply again in the identical routine. It did damage me fairly a bit understanding that there was no compensation for committing your life to this. So I’d hope that, in future, athletes can reap the advantages of being supported by completely different traces of cash coming in.

The Athletic: Finally, what’s the fundamental message you’d wish to put out to any criticism you or the Enhanced Games might get when your announcement is made?

Proud: Just that this determination is one I’m making for myself. I’ve given a lot of my life to swimming and brought away a lot from my private life. It feels so good to have the ability to do that and be actually content material with the path I’m happening. It’s actually made me realise that nothing beats the assist out of your family and friends. That’s all that issues.

(Top picture: Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)