Attention sports fans! We've got a major development in the world of swimming, and it's a doozy. Hunter Armstrong, the two-time Olympic gold medalist, is taking a bold step by joining the Enhanced Games, but here's the twist: he plans to compete clean.
Armstrong, a 25-year-old swimming sensation, has made history by becoming the first athlete to publicly commit to the Enhanced Games with a clean slate. But why is this such a big deal? Well, let's dive into the details.
You see, Armstrong has been open about his financial struggles as a professional swimmer. Last year, he even considered retiring due to these challenges. In a revealing podcast interview last May, he shared his struggles in depth. Now, with the Enhanced Games offering a $1 million prize for breaking the world record in the 50 freestyle and a $500,000 prize purse for each event, Armstrong sees a glimmer of hope.
"If I don't join Enhanced, I lose everything. If I do, I have a chance to keep fighting," Armstrong said. "I had to explore this option because my back was against the wall."
However, here's where it gets controversial. Even if Armstrong competes clean in the Enhanced Games, there's a catch. The international governing body, World Aquatics, has a bylaw (bylaw 10) that bans participants in Enhanced Games competitions from its own events. Talk about a sticky situation!
The Enhanced Games didn't take this lying down. They filed a lawsuit against World Aquatics, USA Swimming, and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), claiming the bylaw was anticompetitive. But a Federal Judge dismissed the lawsuit, stating that the bylaw didn't do what Enhanced claimed.
Now, with Armstrong's signing, the Enhanced Games might have a fighting chance to sue World Aquatics and USA Swimming again. Armstrong told ESPN that he spoke with World Aquatics officials before the announcement but didn't get a clear answer on his eligibility status.
"Nobody knows what will happen, and no one will give me a straight answer. So, I have to go with the rules and take a chance because waiting won't give me any clarity," Armstrong said.
USA Swimming's National Team Director, Greg Meehan, expressed disappointment in Armstrong's decision. In an email to the National Team, Meehan stated, "We are aware of Hunter Armstrong's plans to participate in the Enhanced Games as a clean athlete. We are disappointed, as Hunter has been a valuable member of our team for over five years, and we are unsure how the regulatory bodies will respond to this unprecedented situation."
Armstrong's last competition was at the U.S. Open in December, where he placed 14th in the men's 50 free final. He didn't compete at the U.S. National Championships in June but raced at the U.S. Pro Championships in August, earning a runner-up finish in the 50 free.
A former Ohio State Buckeye, Armstrong made a splash in 2021 by qualifying for the U.S. Olympic team in the men's 100 back and went on to win gold in the men's 4x100 medley relay at the Tokyo Games. Since then, he's continued to shine, winning medals at the 2022 and 2023 World Championships, including an individual gold in the 50 back.
Armstrong is now the 18th swimmer to commit to the Enhanced Games and the second American man, joining fellow Olympic gold medalist Cody Miller. This move has certainly stirred up the swimming world, and we can't wait to see how this story unfolds.
So, what do you think? Is Armstrong's decision a brave move or a risky one? Let us know in the comments! We'd love to hear your thoughts on this controversial topic.
