The British athletics governing body has refused to ratify a world record set at the Enhanced Games, an alternative sporting event that permits performance-enhancing drugs. UK Athletics confirmed the decision on Thursday, citing a breach of international anti-doping rules and an erosion of the principle of fair competition.
The record in question, a 100-metre sprint time of 9.58 seconds, was achieved by American sprinter Marcus Reed at the Enhanced Games in Zurich last month. Reed, a former Olympic silver medallist, had been banned from mainstream competition after testing positive for a cocktail of banned substances in 2021. The Enhanced Games, founded by venture capitalist Aaron D'Souza, explicitly allows athletes to use any drug, legal or otherwise, in the name of 'technological freedom'.
UK Athletics chief executive Jack Buckner stated that the organisation would not recognise any performance achieved under such conditions. 'Our rules are clear. Any record set outside the World Anti-Doping Code cannot be considered for ratification,' he said. 'The Enhanced Games is a private spectacle, not a legitimate sporting competition.' The decision was supported by the International Association of Athletics Federations, which issued a statement affirming that no record from the event would be added to official statistics.
The Enhanced Games, launched in 2024, has drawn sharp criticism from sporting bodies and medical professionals. Its second edition, held in Zurich, featured prize money of $2 million for world records, attracting a handful of banned athletes and a small audience. Critics argue that the event undermines decades of anti-doping efforts and sends a dangerous message about drug use in sport.
Reed's legal team has indicated they may challenge UK Athletics' decision, arguing that the Enhanced Games operates outside traditional sporting jurisdiction. However, legal experts suggest that the governing body is within its rights to enforce its own rules.
The rejection comes as UK Athletics faces pressure to maintain the integrity of the sport in the wake of several high-profile doping scandals. The organisation is expected to release a comprehensive review of its anti-doping policies next month.
This is a developing story.
