A bold move has been made by Olympic gold medalist Hunter Armstrong, as he joins the controversial Enhanced Games, but with a unique twist. Armstrong, a two-time gold medalist and former record holder, has committed to competing clean, a decision that has sparked curiosity and debate.
In a recent Instagram story, Armstrong, 25, made his intentions clear, becoming the first athlete to publicly join the Enhanced Games with a clean slate. This move comes at a time when he has openly discussed his financial struggles as a professional swimmer, even considering retirement last year.
Armstrong explained to SwimSwam that the Enhanced Games, with its lucrative prize pool, offered him a chance to continue his career and support himself financially while training for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. He said, "If I don't join Enhanced, I lose everything. It's a risk, but it's one I have to take."
However, this decision has consequences. The international governing body, World Aquatics, has enacted a bylaw (bylaw 10) banning participants in Enhanced Games from their events. Despite this, the Enhanced Games has filed a lawsuit against World Aquatics, claiming the bylaw is anticompetitive. A Federal Judge has dismissed the lawsuit, but Armstrong's signing provides a potential legal avenue for further action.
Armstrong told ESPN that he spoke with World Aquatics officials but received no clear answer on his eligibility. USA Swimming's National Team Director, Greg Meehan, expressed disappointment in Armstrong's decision, stating that they are unsure how the regulatory bodies will respond to this unprecedented situation.
Armstrong's last competition was at the U.S. Open in December, and he has since missed out on the U.S. National Championships and the 2025 World Championships selection meet. However, he did race at the U.S. Pro Championships, earning a runner-up finish in the 50 free.
Armstrong's journey began in 2021 when he qualified for the U.S. Olympic team in the men's 100 back, going on to win gold in Tokyo as a relay member. Since then, he has continued his success, winning medals at the 2022 and 2023 World Championships.
With Armstrong's commitment, the Enhanced Games now has 18 swimmers signed up, including fellow Olympic gold medalist Cody Miller.
The Enhanced Games Commitments for Swimming include athletes from various countries, with notable names such as James Magnussen from Australia, Felipe Lima from Brazil, and Ben Proud from Great Britain.
This story raises questions about the future of competitive swimming and the potential impact of the Enhanced Games. Will Armstrong's decision to compete clean change the game? And what does this mean for the future of international swimming events? The debate is sure to continue, and we invite you to share your thoughts in the comments below.
