Fred Kerley has had a shaky start to the campaign.

The sprint great voiced concern over Kerley’s unexpected decision, questioning whether financial incentives are worth risking his legacy and long-term future in athletics.

Jamaican-Canadian legend Donovan Bailey has expressed his disappointment in Fred Kerley following his recent move to sign with the Enhanced Games, a proposed multi-sport event founded by Australian businessman Aron D’Souza.

The core concept of the Enhanced Games is to create a sporting competition where athletes are permitted, and even encouraged, to use performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) and other scientific or technological enhancements.

This is in contrast to the anti-doping regulations of organisations like the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

Recently, the 2022 world champion, Fred Kerley, announced that he has signed with the Enhanced Games, something that drew mixed reactions from legends, fans and athletes alike.

In an interview with CBC Sports, Donovan Bailey revealed that he was caught unawares by Fred Kerley’s move to sign with the Enhanced Games.

The Jamaican-Canadian legend pointed out that Fred Kerley is one of the most talented sprinters, having achieved a lot in the 100, 200m and 400m, like Letsile Tebogo.

Donovan Bailey added that he has so many questions to ask the Olympic 100m bronze medallist, following his decision.

“Well, I’m surprised. I mean, you know, most people might say that they’re not surprised, but I am surprised. I mean, I like Fred Kerley. Let’s start there. I think that Fred is one of the greatest sprinters today,” Donovan Bailey revealed.

“Sub 44, sub 20, and sub 10 seconds…I mean, like, maybe Tebogo is the only other athlete I think that can do like that and is competing today. So I was surprised.”

The Enhanced Games have promised to offer a significant amount of prize money to their athletes, a key part of their ‘athlete-first’ business model.

The compensation structure is designed to be a major lure for top competitors, particularly those who feel underpaid in traditional sports.

Winners in each event can receive substantial prize money, with figures as high as $500,000 in some cases. The most prominent financial incentive is the massive bonus for breaking a world record.

The prize for setting a new world record is $1 million USD, with the most lucrative being in the high-profile events. In addition to event winnings and bonuses, athletes are also offered appearance fees to participate. One athlete was reportedly offered a baseline of $250,000 just to sign on, in addition to any money they might win.

“But the question that I would ask Fred, if I had a chance to speak to him, which I probably should reach out, is why, I mean, is it the money? Clearly, you know the answer is going to be the money, but then, is he retired now?” Donovan Bailey added.

“Has he eliminated himself from the whereabouts uh program? Is he no longer going to answer to the IOC or the IAAF? Is he no longer going to answer to his federation?

“Really, how much money is going to take away from the fact that you’re still young and 2028 is the Olympics in Los Angeles, and it’s your home Olympics? So, there are a thousand questions. I mean, like, are you great mentally, psychologically? I mean, there are many things I’d ask Fred.”

Fred Kerley’s decision has not only raised questions about the role of money in sport but also about the legacy and integrity of athletes who choose to compete outside traditional anti-doping frameworks.