Jazz Carlin “Sad & Disappointed” As Ben Proud Joins Enhanced Games
Two-time Olympic silver medallist Jazz Carlin felt “sad and disappointed” when she learned of Ben Proud’s decision to join the Enhanced Games.
Proud announced he was retiring from traditional swimming to move into the event where competitors are allowed to take performance-enhancing drugs a couple of days ago.
It has prompted a cacophony of noise within swimming and beyond with the Olympic silver medallist’s decision by and large condemned.
There has also been a great deal of sadness within the aquatics world that Proud’s fine career should come to a crashing end in this manner.
Carlin won silver in the 400 and 800 free at Rio 2016 where Proud was fourth in the 50 free, one place ahead of Andriy Govorov who has also signed up for the Enhanced Games.
, posted on social media without mentioning Proud by name nor did she directly criticise him.
She said: “One of GB’s most successful swimmers announced yesterday that he is joining the Enhanced Games.
“For those who don’t know, the Enhanced Games is a new competition where athletes are allowed to use performance enhancing drugs, advanced suits, and other technologies that are banned in conventional sport. There’s also huge prize money involved, including $1 million for breaking a world record.“I have to be honest ..I just felt so sad and disappointed reading the news yesterday! This isn’t about criticising the swimmer who has made this decision. He’s been hugely successful in the traditional, clean sport, and I’m sure he has his reasons.
“But for me, it’s sad to think about the message this sends to the next generation of swimmers who look up to their role models.
“I’ve always taken such pride in pushing my body to its natural limits. Before the Rio Olympics, I was being drug tested 2–3 times a week. Of course, you can never guarantee that every nation/ athlete is going through the same, but when I stood on the blocks, I knew I had done everything the right way.
“The potential damage to the athletes bodies in pursuit of money and records is not known. And for the kids watching, the danger is that this becomes seen as ‘normal’.
“For me, true sport will always be clean sport.
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