Former British sprinter Reece Prescod says he will not take performance-enhancing drugs despite signing up for the controversial Enhanced Games.
The competition, scheduled for May in Las Vegas, will allow athletes to consume, under medical supervision, substances prohibited in conventional sports.
The 29-year-old, who retired last year, is the fourth-fastest Briton over 100 metres, with a personal best of 9.93 seconds.
Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s World at One programme, Prescod answered “no” when asked if he had used any substances so far.
Asked “But will you?” he replied again: “No.”
“Obviously from a medical point of view it’s always confidential, but I think for me right now the biggest priority is getting back to that under-10 form,” he added.
The Enhanced Games have been criticized for endangering athletes’ health and undermining fair play, with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) describing them as a “dangerous and irresponsible project”.
Only substances approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) can be taken. This is a different list than the one that WADA allows for elite athletes.
UK Athletics chief executive Jack Buckner said he was “horrified” when it was revealed Prescod had signed up in early January.