By James Sutherland on SwimSwam
Following his controversial announcement that he’s joining the Enhanced Games on Wednesday, British Olympic medalist Ben Proud opened up on his reasoning behind the decision on Thursday.
Proud, 30, spoke candidly with BBC Radio 5 Live, admitting that the financial incentives offered by the Games were a huge factor in his move, that he’s not too bothered about his public perception, and how the realities of where he’s at in his career led him to the decision.
On the financial aspect, Proud said it would take him “13 years of winning a World Championship title” in order to earn the same amount of money that’s up for grabs at the Enhanced Games, which is offering $500,000 for an event win and $1 million for breaking the world record in either the 50-meter freestyle or 100-meter dash.
“There’s a huge financial incentive with this, and I would be lying if I said it didn’t matter,” Proud told BBC Radio 5 Live.
“It’s just such a different ballpark financially – it gives me the opportunity to earn that sort of money and setting myself up, my family, and supporting my mum. These are opportunities as a 30-year-old I just can’t pass by.”
At the 2025 World Aquatics Championships, event winners earned $20,000, while a $30,000 bonus was on the line for breaking a world record. Proud earned $20,000 after winning silver in the men’s 50 free and placing 5th in the 50 fly (not including any sponsorship or funding money he may have earned).
“In reality, us athletes in the Olympic program don’t earn enough money to retire off the back of this and I am always seeking something that can see me through a bit longer.”
The three-time world champion has faced plenty of backlash since the news broke at 9:00 am ET on Wednesday, but Proud said he’s not too bothered about how he’s viewed by the general public. His greater concern was if it would tarnish what he’s accomplished in the pool—an Olympic silver medal, eight World Championship medals (including three titles), six European titles and five Commonwealth Games gold medals.
“It definitely carries that risk,” he said when asked if he was worried this decision would cast a shadow over his previous accomplishments. “This is one of the matters I really had to get my head around. The public perception of me isn’t really that important – I don’t see myself in the public eye too much, so it’s not the biggest issue.
“It came down to whether I could get the support of the 15 or 20 people that mean most to me in my life. If they could understand why I’m making this decision and be supportive, then I’m a happy man.”
Despite his long list of accolades, Proud admitted he didn’t quite reach a few of his ultimate goals in swimming, such as an Olympic gold medal or a world record, but had to come to terms with the fact that those are probably out of reach at this point in his career.
He sees the Enhanced Games as a chance to cash in on the work he’s put in since he was a teenager.
“I’ve been to three Olympics and had some amazing opportunities and this is my chance to capitalize on a skill I’ve spent the best part of 15 years developing,” he said.
“There are world records and Olympic golds I haven’t quite got but that’s asking a little too much of me now. I feel I’m at the right point of my life where I can look back at my career and go on to something new.”
In a brief statement sent to SwimSwam on Wednesday, Proud said he had “no obligation” to take any performance-enhancing substances upon joining the Games, and reiterated that sentiment while speaking BBC Radio 5 Live, also touching on the risks associated with taking PEDs.
“There are many different doctors and healthcare specialists who will guide and inform me on decisions,” he said. “If that was to become the case later on (that he would take PEDs), I would be in good hands to make the best informed decision.”
Only substances approved by the United States’ Food and Drug Administration (FDA) can be taken by Enhanced Games participants.
“It’s my choice and the doctors will be giving me the best support in order for me to make the most informed decision,” Proud said, according to The Guardian. “Everything is currently available to the public through prescription – there’s nothing illegal and nothing that I would feel bad touching.
“The Enhanced Games is trying to reduce the stigma around some of these substances. 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.”
Aquatics GB said it was “immensely disappointed” in Proud’s decision, while European Aquatics echoed that sentiment and The Guardian reports that UK Sport will cease his funding.
“I respect what UK Sport and Aquatics GB have said because if I were in their shoes, I would agree fully,” Proud told BBC Radio 5 Live. “They need to protect themselves and the sport from this competition so I fully understand the reactions I have received from making this change.”
Proud has effectively retired from competing internationally from Great Britain with this decision, joining fellow accomplished swimmers such as three-time Olympic medalist James Magnussen, world record holder Andrii Govorov and European champion Kristian Gkolomeev.
“I want to hold as much respect to swimming by removing myself as much as I can,” Proud said.
“I don’t expect to come back. Being one of the first people to make this move comes with a lot of controversy.”
Read the full story on SwimSwam: Ben Proud Says It Would Take 13 Years of World Titles To Match Enhanced Games Financial Gain
