Olympic swimmer Hunter Armstrong to compete in Enhanced Games - ESPN

Two-time Olympic gold medalist Hunter Armstrong plans to swim in the PED-friendly Enhanced Games this May while pursuing his aspirations to compete in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

Armstrong's attempt to compete in both events will test efforts by World Aquatics, the international swimming federation, to draw a firm line between the traditional swimming world and Enhanced Games — a new organization that allows (but does not require) athletes to take many of the substances banned by other sports leagues.

Armstrong, a 25-year-old Ohio native who formerly held a world record in the 50-meter backstroke, told ESPN he plans to compete for the significant prize money at Enhanced Games without taking any banned substances. He said he believes that as long as he continues to comply with the drug-testing program for World Aquatics' athletes, he should remain eligible for a spot on future U.S. Olympic rosters.

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.»

Along with the $250,000 prize for taking first place in an event, Enhanced Games is also paying athletes a salary and offering large bonuses to anyone who beats a world record. Armstrong said he plans to race in the 50-meter backstroke and the 100-meter freestyle events.

Armstrong said he spoke to officials at World Aquatics before signing with Enhanced Games, but