'I'm not against it' - Prescod on taking drugs for Enhanced Games

When asked how he thought it would feel if he takes some of the drugs being made available - which include steroids, growth hormone and testosterone - Prescod said: "It's quite mind-boggling, if I'm being honest.

"Obviously during my career, I abided by the rules. I never had any sort of violations, missed tests, anything like that.

"If that's the journey I go down with enhancements here and I run extremely fast, it'll just be interesting to know that's how fast I can run with the additional help."

During three months of training in the United Arab Emirates, 39 athletes in sprinting, swimming and weightlifting will be offered performance-enhancing drugs that are approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Organisers say the competitors will undergo strict medical assessments at a hospital on the outskirts of Abu Dhabi, and claim the event - which has a prize pot of $25m and offers appearance fees and bonuses of up to $1m for breaking a world record - will deliver transparency and health safety by removing the stigma of enhancement.

But it has also been condemned by a range of sports and anti-doping bodies for normalising doping, endangering athletes' health, and harming the integrity of sport.

Last year, World Aquatics became the first international sport federation to ban athletes, coaches and officials from its events if they have taken part in the Enhanced Games.

When asked if he was worried about any long-term side effects that could harm his health, Prescod said: "With anything in life, any sort of medication, there's always a risk with that kind of situation.

"I trust in the doctors and I trust what's going on here."

The fourth-fastest British man over 100 metres, with a personal best of 9.93 seconds, Prescod says the prospect of financial security was a major factor in his decision. But he has been criticised by UK Athletics, which said it was "disappointed" by the sprinter signing up.

"Obviously there's been some controversy around the decision and I can understand everyone's entitled to their opinion but ultimately it's my decision - I'm going to stand by it," he said.

"They'd probably be better to actually speak to all the athletes and try and improve the service that they're given. They need to focus on improving that.

"What people are not necessarily understanding is that the Enhanced Games is a different format. It's a different entity, where we have our own rules."