2026 Toyota U.S. National Championships
- July 28-August 1, 2026
- Irvine, CA — William Woollett Jr. Aquatics Center
- LCM (50 meters)
- Meet Central
- Pre-Scratch Psych Sheet
USA Swimming released the pre-scratch psych sheets for the Toyota U.S. National Championships on Friday, and one of the biggest surprises on the psych sheet was the presence of Enhanced Games athlete Hunter Armstrong.
In March, Armstrong, an Olympic gold medalist, announced he would be joining the Enhanced Games as a clean athlete, stating he would not be taking any banned substances and was still working towards his goal of competing at the LA Olympics in 2028.
Before Armstrong made this decision, World Aquatics had instituted a bylaw which bars individuals participating in the Enhanced Games from World Aquatics competitions.
The bylaw does not specifically name the Enhanced Games stating any person who “actively supported or endorsed a sporting event or competition that embraces scientific enhancements that include the use of Prohibited Substances or Prohibited Methods and/or the use of any illegal drug; and/or participated (in any capacity in any such event or competition;” would not be eligible to participate.
While Armstrong competed as a clean athlete, the wording of the bylaw brings into question his ability to compete at AQUA events.
Enhanced attempted to sue World Aquatics for its “anti-competitive” nature, but a federal judge dismissed it because the bylaw only refers to events explicitly hosted by World Aquatics. That does not include the U.S. National Championships.
USA Swimming does not have any similar bylaw, and just reminded athletes back in March that affiliation with the Enhanced Games could “significantly affect [their] ability to participate in future competitions due to USADA and WADA rules and regulations.”
The USADA and WADA portion of the equation seems to be solved with Armstrong getting drug tested by USADA right after racing at the Enhanced Games in May. He also revealed on the SwimSwam podcast after the Enhanced Games that he had been drug tested 11 times between March and June 2026.
Armstrong won $375,000 for his participation at the Games after he won the men’s 50 backstroke and finished 2nd in the men’s 100 freestyle.
At the U.S. Nationals in Irvine next week, he is entered in the 50 free, 50 back, and 50 fly.
Athletes earning $$$ while competing clean and in the testing protocol is a good thing for our sport.
This whole situation is confusing