Sprinter Fred Kerley Receives 2-Year Doping Ban

Kerley responds with social media posts criticizing anti-doping regulators

Published on Mar. 7, 2026

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Sprinter Fred Kerley, the 100-meter champion in 2022, has been banned for two years by the Athletics Integrity Unit for missing drug tests between May and December 2024. Kerley has signed to run in the Enhanced Games, a new league that does not prohibit performance-enhancing drugs, so the suspension is unlikely to impact his career. Kerley responded to the ban with a series of social media posts criticizing anti-doping agencies.

Why it matters

Kerley's suspension highlights the ongoing tensions between elite athletes and anti-doping regulators, as well as the emergence of new sports leagues that are more permissive of banned substances. This case raises questions about the future of drug testing and enforcement in professional sports.

The details

According to the Athletics Integrity Unit, Kerley was found "negligent and, to a certain extent, reckless" in not adhering to anti-doping regulations by missing drug tests over an 8-month period in 2024. Last September, Kerley announced he would be competing in the Enhanced Games, a new league that does not prohibit the use of performance-enhancing drugs. Shortly after the ban was announced, Kerley released several social media posts criticizing anti-doping agencies like WADA and USADA.

  • Kerley missed drug tests from May through December 2024.
  • Kerley's 2-year suspension will run through August 11, 2027.

The players

Fred Kerley

A 30-year-old sprinter who was the 100-meter champion in 2022 and has now been banned for 2 years by anti-doping regulators.

Athletics Integrity Unit

The organization that oversees doping cases for World Athletics and announced Kerley's 2-year suspension.

Enhanced Games

A new professional sports league that Kerley has signed with, which does not prohibit the use of performance-enhancing drugs.

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What they’re saying

“I'm tired of holding everything in. You can't control me, and the truth is louder than silence.”

— Fred Kerley (Social media)

“A random number from Mexico that looked like a scam call and I'm supposed to answer that? I live in USA why is a number calling my phone from Mexico.”

— Fred Kerley (Social media)

What’s next

The Enhanced Games league, which Kerley has signed with, is expected to launch in the coming years as an alternative to traditional professional sports that prohibit the use of performance-enhancing drugs.

The takeaway

Kerley's case highlights the growing divide between elite athletes and anti-doping regulators, as well as the emergence of new sports leagues that are more permissive of banned substances. This raises questions about the future of drug testing and enforcement in professional sports.