Disgraced cyclist Lance Armstrong will not swim three distance events in the Masters South Central Zone Swimming Championships at the University of Texas this weekend after swimming’s international governing body raised objections.
“He doesn’t want to cause any more harm to any more organizations,” U.S. Masters Swimming Executive Director Rob Butcher told the Associated Press on Thursday. “His interest was around fitness and training. In light of FINA and the other political stuff, he will not be swimming.”
Although Mr. Armstrong withdrew from the event, he likely didn’t have a choice after FINA raised objections to his participation. A spokesman for the cyclist did not immediately respond to comment.
An ongoing investigation by Union Cycliste Internationale, cycling’s governing body, found Mr. Armstrong guilty of doping and revoked all seven of his Tour de France titles last October. He was also kicked off the board of Livestrong, his cancer foundation.
He admitted to Oprah Winfrey publicly in January to using performance-enhancing drugs after years of vehement denial. He has been banned from sanctioned competition for life.
• Jessica Chasmar can be reached at jchasmar@washingtontimes.com.
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