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The Enhanced Games has been criticised for endangering athletes’ health and undermining fair play, with the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) describing it as a “dangerous and irresponsible project”, external<\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n Proud, who has previously supported UK Anti-Doping’s (Ukad) Clean Sport Week, said he is “not under any obligation to take anything” despite joining the event.<\/p>\n “In order to compete in these games, to be in a position to earn this prize money that you would never see in professional sport, I am forced to retire,” he said.<\/p>\n “There are many different doctors and healthcare specialists who will guide and inform me on decisions. If that was to become the case later on [that I would take performance-enhancing drugs], I would be in good hands to make the best informed decision.”<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Earlier this year, World Aquatics became the first international sport federation to ban athletes, coaches and officials from its events<\/a> if they have taken part in the Enhanced Games.<\/p>\n “The Enhanced Games is trying to reduce the stigma around some of these substances,” Proud added. <\/p>\n “Some of these things, they have fantastic effects on the body and really limited side effects. Those are the ones to me that are curious – what could you take that makes you feel better, better energy, more recovery, without health risks.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n