American sprinter Fred Kerley, a two-time Olympic medalist in the 100m who is currently serving a suspension, has become the first US male athlete and the first from track and field to commit to competing in the Enhanced Games, an event that permits the use of performance-enhancing drugs.
The organizers announced Kerley’s participation on Wednesday via social media, confirming he will run the 100m in the inaugural edition of the controversial competition. The Enhanced Games promotes what it calls a “safe, legal and science-driven” protocol for athletes using performance-enhancing substances.
Kerley said in a statement on the event’s official website that he sees this as his best opportunity to attempt Usain Bolt’s long-standing 100m world record of 9.58 seconds.
“The world record has always been the ultimate goal of my career,” Kerley said. “This now gives me the opportunity to dedicate all of my energy to pushing my limits and becoming the fastest human to ever live.”
A $1 million prize has been set aside for any competitor who breaks a world record during the competition.
Kerley previously won silver in the 100m at the postponed Tokyo 2020 Olympics and secured bronze at the 2024 Paris Games. He also claimed gold at the 2022 World Athletics Championships. However, he is currently serving a provisional suspension for failing to meet anti-doping whereabouts requirements.
He is the first from athletics to commit, joining swimmers James Magnussen, Ben Proud, and Kristian Gkolomeev, who have also signed up.
The Enhanced Games, founded in 2023 by Australian entrepreneur Aron D’Souza, has been heavily criticized, with the World Anti-Doping Agency labeling it a “dangerous and irresponsible project” over concerns for athlete health and integrity in sport.
The inaugural edition, which will include swimming, sprinting, and weightlifting, is scheduled to take place in Las Vegas from May 21–24, 2026. Winners in each event will receive $250,000.
Athletes are permitted to use substances banned in mainstream competition, including anabolic steroids and human growth hormones.
In June, World Aquatics became the first international federation to prohibit athletes, coaches, and officials who participate in the Enhanced Games from its sanctioned competitions.
Two months later, organizers of the Enhanced Games filed an antitrust lawsuit against World Aquatics, USA Swimming, and the World Anti-Doping Agency in a U.S. court, accusing them of running a “blatantly predatory and illegal campaign” to prevent athletes and stakeholders from engaging with the breakaway event.
What you should know
Fred Kerley, a two-time Olympic medalist and 2022 world champion, will compete in the first-ever Enhanced Games, a controversial sporting event where athletes are free to use banned performance-enhancing drugs.
He aims to break Usain Bolt’s 100m world record, with $1 million promised for any record-breaking feat.
