“We are thrilled to see such an elite track athlete like Fred join the Enhanced Games, and pursue breaking a world record that hasn’t been touched in 16 years,” said Maximilian Martin, CEO of the Enhanced Games. A statement that must have sent chills down many in the track and field community. Enhanced Games is a sports event that embraces scientific advancements to push the boundaries of human performance. Simply said, they allow the use of Performance Enhancement Drugs (PEDs). This news has shocked many fans, and the Olympians aren’t immune to it either.

Canadian Olympians: Donovan Bailey- 50m world record holder, 2x Olympic champion, 3x World Champion, and Kate van Buskirk- 2021 Olympian sat down with host Perdita Felicien, talking over Fred Kerley’s move to Enhanced Games in a video that streamed on CBC Sports on YouTube yesterday. “Well, I’m surprised. I mean, you know, I’m.. most people might say that they’re not surprised, but I am surprised. I mean, uh, I like Fred Kerley,” said Bailey, describing his honest reaction to the news. He talked about Fred being a great athlete, having clocked a sub-44, sub-20, and sub-10. His personal bests in the 100, 200, and 400m are 9.76, 19.76, and 43.64, respectively.

The Olympic champion looked for a rationale. “I mean is it the money?…is he then retired now? has he eliminated himself from the whereabouts uh program? Is he no longer going to answer to the IOC, uh, the IIAF? Is he no longer gonna answer to his federation?” Bailey’s questions piled on. Enhanced Games has announced a sum of US$250k for the event winners and a million dollars for those who break the world record. But Donovan wondered if that kind of money is worth it to give up the chance to be in the LA Olympics in 2028, Olympics on home soil for Fred Kerley. “Are you great mentally, uh, psychologically?” he asked. Kate van Buskirk wasn’t exactly onboard with Kerley’s pivot as well.

“So, you’re going to be eliminated from, in many cases, your federation’s uh team ever again. In the case of the United States, the Olympics are coming up in LA. What a point of pride. What an opportunity to compete on the home scene, to be able to represent your country. That’s gone,” she lamented. While there has been no official statement from the IOC or USATF, or WA over Kerley, all three of them have clamored down their fists against the Enhanced Games. Section 8.1 of the USOPC anti-doping policy strictly prohibits the use of PEDs, and the chances are that the moment Fred races in these games, he will be banned. He is already in exile for whereabouts failures.

The only pro of Enhanced games is the money. Donovan hopes it better be worth it, “it’s $5 million, not $500,000 because he’s got a long life to go…a half a million dollars now and then what? Like, where do you go?…if you’re if you’re here and you’re shutting every door that’s possible for you to earn a living in the future… let’s just say that he goes in and it goes well, you can’t you first of all, you can’t go back and compete.” Kerley’s mere participation itself would jeapordize his entire athletic eligibility. If he has his eyes on coaching for the future, “No one’s going to hire you for real money because of the stain that’s coming,” the Olympian said.

The World Champion feels that Fred’s competing doesn’t make a mockery of track and field. The sport itself has a long history, and most elite athletes compete cleanly. But he did say, “The fact is that Fred is saying, ‘Hey, I’m going to cheat.’ He’s eliminating himself from being considered one of the best.” Bailey delivered strongly, asserting that anyone who intentionally uses steroids or other performance-enhancing drugs should be permanently barred from competing in their sport and should also be prohibited from coaching or mentoring young athletes. But what about the other side of the coin? Fred’s side.

Why is Fred Kerley joining Enhanced Games?

This one question might be on everyone’s mind who has heard the news. Kerley was one of the best talents to come out of America—a World Championship gold in 2022, multiple Olympic medals to his tally. But after one tough 2025 season, he got banned, and just weeks later, he joined the Enhanced Games. Why? “This now gives me the opportunity to dedicate all my energy to pushing my limits and becoming the fastest human to ever live,” Kerley said in a statement. The very philosophy of these games is to push the human body to its limits, and the most prominent way for athletes to do so is through the PEDs that this event allows.

Speaking about his whereabouts ban that came earlier this month, the 2022 World Champion said, “I’m still contesting. I did nothing wrong, and my team is still fighting for that.” It’s a relief that he is still trying to get back on the regular track, but the big question remains: would he be allowed to compete again in USA Track and Field after joining the Enhanced Games? While that answer will come sooner or later, the biggest motivator for him is the money.

“Signing up allows me to make money and protect my future. Equity and ownership are everything for me. They gave me ownership, and a lot of track athletes don’t have anything to show for their careers after retiring. I’ve been to two Olympics and been a world champion. I have a family to provide for, and this ensures I can do that,” he said. $500,000 is a lot of money for a track and field athlete. The World Championships only offer $70,000 if you win gold in any individual event, and a world record can bring an extra $100,000—but that’s it. So, is the risk worth the money?