Article by David Istrate – Published Friday, 09 January 2026, 12:15 / Updated Friday, 09 January 2026 12:18
Reece Prescod (29), bronze medalist at the World Athletics Championships and 2018 European runner-up in the 100m, has made the decision to compete in the controversial Enhanced Games competition. The London athlete was criticized by the chief executive of British Athletics, who issued a statement expressing his disappointment.
Reece Prescod competed for 10 years, from 2015 to 2025, participating in several editions of the European and World Championships. Also, the 29-year-old athlete was present in 2021 at the Olympic Games in Tokyo, reaching the semifinals of the 100 meters.
Prescod has the European silver medal in the 100 meters and the world bronze medal in the 4×100 meters.. On 4 August 2025, he announced his retirement from athletics and on 7 January 2026, he made his decision to compete at the Enhanced Games official.
Reece Prescod slammed by UK Athletics chief executive: 'Terrible'
The British Athletics Federation (UK Athletics) reacted quickly through the voice of its chief executive Jack Buckner.
“As a former athlete, I find this particularly appalling. Those of us who have competed know what it means to succeed the right way – through talent, dedication and respect for the rules. To see a British athlete associated with an event that celebrates the use of performance-enhancing substances is deeply disappointing“, said the former long-distance runner, quoted by The Guardian.
The federation also issued a statement criticizing Prescod.
UK Athletics is disappointed by reports that former British sprinter Reece Prescod plans to take part in the so-called Enhanced Games.
UKA does not recognize the Enhanced Games as a legitimate sporting competition. Any event that promotes or allows the use of harmful substances for the purpose of pushing the human body to the limit for short-term goals is not sport as we value it.
This concept fundamentally undermines the integrity of competition, seriously endangers the health and welfare of athletes and is incompatible with the principles of clean sport that underpin athletics in the UK and around the world. The reason clean sport exists is precisely because those involved have seen the risks of consuming substances that have resulted in serious, life-changing injuries.
British athletes have felt the devastating impact of doping over the years, missing out on opportunities to win major medals, receiving recognition only years later or having their medals stripped, so it's disappointing to see a former team member show such disrespect.
UKA's Clean Athletics Policy is clear: doping and the use of banned substances or methods will not be tolerated. Although Reece Prescod is no longer part of UKA's performance system, his decision to associate himself with an event that directly contravenes both our policy and the World Anti-Doping Regulations is unacceptable
– press release from the British Athletics Federation
Enhanced Games is a controversial competition in which participants are allowed to use doping substances under medical supervision. Athletes will not be subject to anti-doping tests.
