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Lance Armstrong withdraws from US Masters swimming event

Last updated on .From the section Cyclingcomments428

Lance Armstrong

Lance Armstrong has withdrawn from the Masters South Central Zone Swimming Championshipsexternal-link in Texas this weekend after an objection from swimming's international governing body.

The International Swimming Federation (Fina) asked US Masters Swimming not to accept the disgraced cyclist's entry.

Fina state that the event is subject to the lifetime ban given to Armstrong, 41, by the US Anti-Doping Agency.

Armstrong was set to compete in three freestyle races at the Austin event.

He had been scheduled to compete in freestyle races over 500 yards, 1,000 yards and 1,650 yards against swimmers his own age or older.

However, meeting organiser Rob Butcher said: "He doesn't want to cause any more harm to any more organisations.

"His interest was around fitness and training. In light of Fina he will not be swimming."

Armstrong was stripped of his seven Tour de France titles after deciding not to defend doping charges filed against him last August.

Armstrong was charged by the US Anti-Doping Agency (Usada) in June 2012 with using performance-enhancing drugs.

He filed a lawsuit against the organisation the following month, accusing it of "corrupt inducements" to other cyclists to testify against him.

However, Armstrong then announced he would not fight the charges and was given a life ban by Usada.

In January, he confessed to taking performance-enhancing drugs during all seven of his Tour de France wins between 1999 and 2005 in a television interview with Oprah Winfrey.

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428 comments

  • Comment posted by User0415996255, at 11:52 4 Apr 2013

    I think it's just terrible and disgusting how everyone has treated Lance Armstrong.

    Especially after what he achieved winning 7 Tour de Frances while on drugs.

    When I was on drugs, I couldn't even find my bike.

  • Comment posted by User0897911151, at 12:19 4 Apr 2013

    I hope he doesn't wee in the pool or they will all test positive.

  • Comment posted by Joe G, at 10:25 4 Apr 2013

    Why has the BBC opened this article and not others to comments? A largely retired athlete has decided to enter some relatively low profile events that don't feature on UK TV.

    All this is asking for is drug related mud-slinging and absurd defences and attacks on him and cycling to come forth

    Is the BBC sports section being run by a former tabloid sports editor? The Star or The Sun perhaps?!

  • Comment posted by Chill out, at 10:33 4 Apr 2013

    I just want to read one more story about him when he is bankrupted by his previous sponsors et al. Then let's just ignore and forget about him, that'll be punishment enough.

  • Comment posted by User0022281170, at 11:56 4 Apr 2013

    He'll probably turn up wearing flippers.

  • Comment posted by e8hlc, at 10:46 4 Apr 2013

    Why is this news?

  • Comment posted by User0875429288, at 10:48 4 Apr 2013

    The thought of Lance Armstrong being reduced to having to enter the seniors' 1650 yard freestyle in the Texas Masters South Central Zone Swimming Championship is even funnier than him being banned from all sport for life.

    A competition so lowly, that the drug authorities don't even care about it.

  • Comment posted by User0362458550, at 11:56 4 Apr 2013

    I'd love it if every other competitor turned up in a motorboat.

  • Comment posted by Macca2, at 10:39 4 Apr 2013

    Who cares what this loser is doing?

    Can't we just let him disappear into insignificance, or at least into the bowels of history?

  • Comment posted by jimbob, at 10:26 4 Apr 2013

    A dip in the water doesn't make you clean. Jog on, Lance.

  • Comment posted by User0980624812, at 10:49 4 Apr 2013

    How did I miss previously knowing about the mega event that is the "Masters South Central Zone Swimming Championships"?

  • Comment posted by User0073837729, at 10:42 4 Apr 2013

    Compared to Oscar Pistorius ol' Lance doesn't seem so bad now...

  • Comment posted by Rob, at 10:47 4 Apr 2013

    At first, as a masters swimmer, I was really uncomfortable with this. However, you have to understand masters swimming. It is essentially people from the 'normal' population that take part, with real lives, jobs and health conditions, aged from 25 to 100+. As a result, drug testing is not practical nor should it be required as the 'spirit' of the event is not all about winning anyway.

  • Comment posted by dom, at 11:23 4 Apr 2013

    It does seem that Lance is just publicity-hungry. This is on his home town, where i believe he still has a lot of support. surely, the organisers could have refused his entry, on the grounds that is is currently a banned doper. I am sad to say that I used to think he was brilliant, didn't believe the drug stories. I was duped by him, and he has ruined "Dodgeball" for ever!!!

  • Comment posted by User0183720768, at 11:51 4 Apr 2013

    Why doesn't he just get a job as a pharmacist?

  • Comment posted by maratsafin, at 12:37 4 Apr 2013

    Swimming? Well that has a history of being drug free doesn't it? They're well matched. Having had cancer twice I was obviously very sympathetic to LA. But now it's clear he was a bully and a cheat. Cancer sufferer or not that doesn't excuse him.

  • Comment posted by Flankerman, at 11:26 4 Apr 2013

    not even swimming in spring water from Lourdes could clean up that cheat.
    He should be banned from taking part in any competitive sport.

  • Comment posted by Doc of Innisfail AB Canada, at 00:27 5 Apr 2013

    #370 - "Maybe we should just stone him to death too and get it over with."

    I'm up for that, where do I sign up. He robbed millions of cyclists of their dreams & the equal chance to win & million more cancer patients by stealing their disease, & using it for his own benefit. L. A. is a thief, he should be in jail, & not trying to attend swim meets. Using Cancer for personal gain is disgusting!!!

  • Comment posted by whatever13, at 16:38 4 Apr 2013

    He should be made to pay back every single bit of cash he earned by lying and cheating over the years. He stopped honest dedicated sportsmen from winning events and inturn stopping them from earning. He is the lowest of the low. All references to him should be deleted and he should be made to live in a cardboard box. Good riddance to him.

  • Comment posted by Inmyopinion, at 16:36 4 Apr 2013

    @254 so in your view his only crime was getting caught?
    Do you think his behaviour in and out of the team was ok?
    Are you actually Lance Armstrong?

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