Former Olympic sprinter Jamie Baulch has launched a scathing attack on the Enhanced Games, describing the controversial doping-friendly competition as utterly absurd.
"I think it's completely farcical," Mr Baulch said. "I can't believe anyone would want to sign up to it ethically."
The Welsh athlete, who competed at the 1996 and 2000 Olympics, expressed profound disappointment at the event's existence and the willingness of competitors to participate.
Speaking to GB News he said: "I just think it’s the wrong thing and when you look at some of the names already involved, you think: really?
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"I find it really sad that this has been put in place, and even sadder that people want to take part.
"As a former athlete, I wouldn’t even dream of it. It simply doesn’t enter my DNA. I couldn’t even consider it. I think it’s a disgrace and a very sad state of affairs."
He added: "At the end of the day, the only reason anyone is considering this is because of the money.
"When I did sport, I ran for the love of it never for money. You start off winning sports day, and before you know it you’re at the Olympics. You always remember why you began.
Jamie Baulch unleashed a scathing rant against the games
|GB NEWS
"Whichever way you look at it, in my view it’s the wrong decision. I know people will watch it, and it might be interesting, but I still think it’s a disgrace.
"What impression are we leaving on children? What are we teaching people? Even if someone says they’re not taking drugs, by taking part they’re still promoting it and that makes it a disgrace in itself.
"Will it last? I was surprised it was going ahead at all, and I’m still not convinced it will.
"Hopefully it’s a one-off circus and then that’s the end of it. And it is a circus.
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Reece Prescod has signed up for the games
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"I don’t think anyone is going to run faster than Usain Bolt anyway. The only reason people will watch is to see if a world record is broken and it won’t be.
"If people are taking drugs and still not beating natural athletes, it’s going to be very boring to watch.”
The competition, scheduled to take place in Las Vegas in May, will allow athletes to take substances, under medical supervision, that are banned in mainstream sport.
The Enhanced Games have come under fire for risking athletes’ health and undermining fair competition.
Wada (World Anti Doping Agency) has labelled the event “dangerous and irresponsible".
Competitors can only use substances approved by the US Food and Drug Administration, a list that doesn’t match Wada’s rules for elite athletes.
Former Great Britain sprinter Reece Prescod has agreed to take part and claimed that he will not be taking performance enhancing drugs.
The 29-year-old, who hung up his spikes last year, is the fourth-fastest Brit over 100m, clocking a best of 9.93 seconds.