Games Sprint Medallist Fred Kerley Signs Up for Performance-Enhanced Games Short Time Following Suspension

The Olympic sprint medal winner Fred Kerley will compete in the first-ever Enhanced Games, event organisers revealed this week, only weeks following the Athletics Integrity Unit handed the American a temporary ban for failing to report his location.

The Athlete Announces Historic Decision

The 2022 100m global title holder is the first sprinting competitor and US man to participate in the competition that allows athletes to use banned substances that are not allowed in traditional sports events.

“I am excited to a fresh challenge and competing at the Enhanced Games,” said Kerley. “The world record has consistently been the ultimate goal of my career. This now gives me the chance to focus all my energy to pushing my limits and becoming the quickest person to has ever live.”

The Event: A New Frontier or Health Risk?

Officials say that the Enhanced Games can help transforming sports science as it challenges worldwide doping prevention standards, while opponents have derided it as harmful to competitors' well-being.

Enhanced Games filed an competition lawsuit against World Aquatics, US swimming authorities and the global anti-doping organization for as much as $800m in last month, claiming an unlawful campaign to “eliminate” the event. The anti-doping agency previously called the competition as “harmful and irresponsible”.

Growing Roster of Elite Competitors

The sprinter joins several top-level swimmers who have already agreed for the competition, including Games medal winner athlete Ben Proud, the initial British competitor to sign on.

“Kerley’s decision to participate with us does not just shows our aim of organizing the most exciting athletic competitions out there, but also strengthens the growing attraction of the Enhanced Games as the next phase of elite sporting competition,” stated the event CEO, Maximilian Martin.

This first Enhanced Games will take place in Las Vegas in May next year.