Ben Proud has announced he will take part in the Enhanced Games – much to the dismay of Aquatics GB.The 50m swimmer becomes the first British athlete to confirm their intention to compete at the controversial event.GettyProud is the first British athlete to sign up for the Enhanced Games[/caption]The swimmer has defended his decision to compete in an event which will allow performance-enhancing drugsGettyProud holds the national record in both the 50m freestyle and butterfly.He also claimed a silver medal in the former at last summer’s Olympics in Paris.However, the 30-year-old has been slammed by Aquatics GB after revealing he will appear in the first-ever Enhanced Games.The maiden event is scheduled to take place in 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada.Athletes will be permitted to compete whilst using banned performance-enhancing drugs.Proud defended his decision to sign up for the Games, telling the BBC: “I think it opens up the potential avenue to excel in a very different way.“I think realistically I’ve achieved everything I can, and now the Enhanced is giving me a new opportunity. I definitely don’t think that’s undermining a clean sport.“I really respect the sport I’ve been part of, and I would never step back in knowing I’ve done something which isn’t in the rules.”In contrast, though, Aquatics GB released a damning statement in response to Proud’s announcement.The statement read: “Aquatics GB is immensely disappointed in Ben Proud’s announcement to sign with the Enhanced Games.GettyAquatics GB have slammed Proud’s decision and he could lose his UK Sport funding[/caption]“Aquatics GB, along with our partners, stand firmly behind the values and principles of clean sport and condemns Ben’s decision in the strongest terms.”Meanwhile, UK Sport have confirmed they are in discussions with Aquatics GB regarding Proud’s eligibility to receive funding.The world and European champion has previously supported campaigns against the use of banned substances.Those include taking part in UK Anti-Doping’s Clean Sport Week.Proud also won gold in the 50m butterfly at the 2017 World Championships to go with his world and European titles in the freestyle.However, he missed out on Olympic gold in the French capital to Australia’s Cameron McEvoy by 0.05 seconds.Proud, who holds two British records, won silver in the 50m freestyle at the 2024 OlympicsGettyWhat are the Enhanced Games?The Enhanced Games are a planned Olympic-style tournament in which athletes will be permitted to use performance-enhancing drugs.Events taking place at the Games include swimming, weightlifting and track and field.First announced in 2023, the maiden Enhanced Games are set to be held in May 2026.Up to $500,000 in prize money will be on offer to competitors, with the winner of each event taking home $250,000.An additional $1million bonus will be handed out to anyone who breaks the world record in either the 100m sprint or 50m freestyle.Despite holding the British record in the 50m freestyle and butterfly, Proud has never held the world record in either discipline.