The swimmer Ben Proud, who gained an Olympic silver medal in Paris 2024, turned the primary British athlete to affix improved video games, a contest the place athletes might be free to make use of medication enhancing efficiency.
Proud, a world and European champion on the 50m freestyle, might be prohibited in worldwide competitors for having participated within the spectacle powered by medication.
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The occasion was criticized for having endangered the well being of athletes, with the World Anti -Doping Company which describes it as a “harmful and irresponsible mission”.
The inaugural occasion, together with swimming, dash and weightlifting, must be held in Las Vegas in Might 2026.
“I believe this opens the potential avenue to excel in a really completely different manner,” mentioned Prud, a pleasure of 30 years, on the BBC.
“I believe that in a practical manner, I’ve achieved every thing I can, and now the (video games) improved give me a brand new alternative. I definitely do not assume it’s present process a clear sport.
“I actually respect the game through which I used to be half, and I’d by no means take a step again to know that I did one thing that’s not within the guidelines.”
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Athletes taking part in improved video games might be allowed to eat prohibited medication in worldwide sports activities corresponding to steroids and hormones of human progress, with winners of every occasion receiving $ 250,000, and a bonus of $ 1 million for any athlete who breaks a world document.
In June, World Aquatics turned the primary worldwide federation to ban athletes, coaches and officers of its occasions in the event that they take part in improved video games.
“It’s extremely disappointing that any British athlete plans to take part in an occasion that flies to the true spirit of sport,” mentioned Jane Rumble, Managing Director of UK Anti-Doping.
“Any determination of any athlete to take part in improved video games is more likely to compromise the values of a sports activities panorama that protects laborious work, integrity, pure expertise and 100% clear sport.”
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