Introduction to the Enhanced Games
Former world sprint champion Fred Kerley has become the first track athlete and first American to join the no-drug-testing Enhanced Games.
Kerley is currently serving a ban for missed doping tests and is not at the world championships in Tokyo this week. His lawyers have said he is looking to contest the so-called whereabouts failures that led to his suspension.
About Fred Kerley
The 30-year-old sprinter is the most high-profile signing for the start-up league, which also recently signed Paris Olympic silver-medal swimmer Ben Proud. In a statement on the Enhanced Games website, Kerley says “This now gives me the opportunity to dedicate all my energy to pushing my limits and becoming the fastest human to ever live.” Kerley won the 100 meters at world championships in 2022. He has two medals at the Olympics — silver in Tokyo in 2021 and bronze in Paris last year in an historically close 100-meter final.
The Enhanced Games
The Enhanced Games is set to debut next May in Las Vegas, with track, swimming and weightlifting contests offering $500,000 per event, including $250,000 awarded to first place. There’s also a $1 million bonus for breaking world records in the 100-meter sprint on the track or in the 50-meter freestyle in swimming.
Personal Life and Controversies
In May, Kerley was charged in Florida with punching a woman, a hurdler who also competed in the Olympics. That came just a few months after he was arrested for allegedly punching a Miami Beach police officer on Jan. 2, an incident in which police used a Taser on him. His lawyers say Kerley is innocent of those charges.
Athletics in Perspective
Journalist Steve Kornacki puts feats from javelin throwing to marathon pacing into perspective.
Conclusion
The addition of Fred Kerley to the Enhanced Games marks a significant development for the league, bringing both attention and controversy. As the games approach, the focus will be on the athletes and their performances, with the absence of drug testing likely to be a topic of discussion.
FAQs
- Q: What is the Enhanced Games?
A: The Enhanced Games is a start-up sports league featuring track, swimming, and weightlifting contests with significant prize money. - Q: Who is Fred Kerley?
A: Fred Kerley is a former world sprint champion and Olympic medalist who has joined the Enhanced Games. - Q: Why is Fred Kerley currently in the news?
A: Kerley is serving a ban for missed doping tests and has been involved in legal issues unrelated to his sports career. - Q: When and where will the Enhanced Games debut?
A: The Enhanced Games are set to debut next May in Las Vegas.
