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All-natural swimmer Hunter Armstrong wanted to prove that he could compete against “enhanced” swimmers at the inaugural Enhanced Games, which allow competitors to use performance-enhancing drugs.
The two-time Olympic gold medalist says he competed in the PED-friendly Enhanced Games because he needed money to pursue another Olympic run.
Via ESPN
Armstrong said joining Enhanced Games was his only option to continue swimming full time. He said he considered retiring last summer after his main sponsor abruptly severed their relationship, leaving him with no way to pay his bills.
“If I don’t join Enhanced, I lose everything. If I do join Enhanced, I have a chance at not losing everything,” Armstrong said. “My back was against the wall, so I had to reopen that conversation to see if it was a plausible option.”
In his race, Armstrong absolutely crushed his competition in the Men’s 50m Backstroke. and took home the $250k prize money for winning first place.
A non-enhanced athlete, Hunter Armstrong, won 1st place in the Men’s 50m Backstroke at the Enhanced Games while competing against athletes using testosterone, steroids, and other PEDs. pic.twitter.com/j8pKQdQPLs
— FearBuck (@FearedBuck) May 25, 2026
USADA tested Armstrong to ensure he didn’t break any rules that would prevent him from competing in the upcoming Olympic Games in LA.
The Enhanced Games are proud and delighted to welcome @usantidoping and @WorldAquatics for their mandated testing of our non-enhanced athlete Hunter Armstrong today at our competition complex. pic.twitter.com/7la5H2E1H5
— Enhanced Games (@enhanced_games) May 25, 2026