The Enhanced Games were launched as a concept in 2023, with some doping measures permitted under medical supervision.
Only substances approved by the United States’ Food and Drug Administration (FDA) can be taken, which is different to the list Wada allows for elite athletes.
The event has been criticised for endangering athletes’ health and undermining fair play, with Wada describing it as a “dangerous and irresponsible project”, external and Travis Tygart, chief executive of the US Anti-Doping Agency, calling it a “clown show”., external
“We have access to some of the greatest specialists out there to make sure that everything will be an informed decision,” Proud said.
“Everything is FDA approved. Everything’s readily available to the general public. It’s done under very strict supervision from doctors and health care professionals, and I will never take anything that I am unsure of.
“They are not allowing anyone to participate if they are under any stress or health risks.”
Proud also said that organisers “aren’t asking me to take anything” and he is unsure at the moment what substances he would use.
“If you ask me in six months’ time, I’ll probably have a bit more of an answer,” he said. “I’m coming into this very new, I don’t know any pros and cons about anything that could be available.
“All I know is that it’s going to be a very interesting dynamic to learn about these things, things that have not been available to us for a long time.
“I’m very curious as to what could be done to feel better in certain aspects of the race or training. I have the next three, four months to figure out what it is. After that, ultimately, I have the decision to say I want to take it or not.”
The Enhanced Games are planned to be an annual competition, initially comprising short-distance swimming, sprinting and weightlifting, with the inaugural event set to be held in Las Vegas from 21-24 May 2026.
