Trending Now - Hunter Armstrong to Compete in Enhanced Games Amid Ban Threat

WHO:

Hunter Armstrong, 25-year-old Ohio native, two-time Olympic gold medalist

World Aquatics, the international swimming federation

Husain al-Musallam, president of World Aquatics

Torin Koos, spokesperson for World Aquatics

Other Olympians: James Magnussen, Ben Proud, Cody Miller, Fred Kerley

WHAT:

Hunter Armstrong plans to compete in the Enhanced Games in May 2026.

Armstrong will compete without the use of performance-enhancing drugs.

Enhanced Games will offer rewards of up to $1 million and a $250,000 prize for first place.

World Aquatics amended its bylaws in June 2025 to ban athletes participating in Enhanced Games from competing in World Aquatics events.

Armstrong previously held the world record in the 50-meter backstroke.

WHERE:

Enhanced Games will take place in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Armstrong swam in the 100-meter freestyle at the 2024 U.S. Olympic Team Trials in Indianapolis, Indiana, on June 18, 2024.

Armstrong competed in the Budapest 2022 FINA World Championships in Budapest, Hungary, on June 25, 2022.

WHEN:

Enhanced Games scheduled for May 24, 2026.

World Aquatics amended its bylaws in June 2025.

Armstrong competed in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and the Paris 2024 Olympics.

WHY:

Armstrong's decision to join Enhanced Games was motivated by financial necessity after losing a main sponsor in 2025.

He stated, "If I don't join Enhanced, I lose everything. If I do join Enhanced, I have a chance at not losing everything."

HOW:

Armstrong consulted attorneys regarding his eligibility to compete while participating in Enhanced Games.

He plans to comply with World Aquatics' drug-testing program to maintain eligibility for future Olympic rosters.

World Aquatics will decide on eligibility on a case-by-case basis.

Hunter Armstrong, a 25-year-old two-time Olympic gold medalist from Ohio, has announced his plans to compete in the Enhanced Games in Las Vegas on May 24, 2026, where he will not use performance-enhancing drugs despite the lucrative rewards on offer. This decision comes after World Aquatics, led by president Husain al-Musallam, amended its bylaws in June 2025 to prohibit athletes participating in the Enhanced Games from competing in their events, leaving Armstrong to navigate his eligibility carefully. Motivated by financial necessity after losing a main sponsor, Armstrong expressed that joining the Enhanced Games is a chance to avoid losing everything he has worked for in his swimming career.