Lance Armstrong delivers remarks at a press conference held to urge Congress to oppose cuts to cancer research and prevention programs, in Washington on March 24, 2011. (File/UPI/Kevin Dietsch) |
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Lance Armstrong, who was stripped of his biggest cycling achievements last year because of doping charges, will compete at the Masters South Central Zone Swimming Championships in Texas this weekend.
U.S. Masters Swimming isn’t under the regulation of the U.S. Anti Doping Agency, which gave Armstrong a lifetime ban from sanctioned competition and stripped him of his seven Tour de France titles last year. Armstrong confessed to using performance-enhancing drugs in a January interview with Oprah Winfrey.
Rob Butcher, executive director of masters swimming, told the American-Statesman that no one has so far objected to Armstrong competing. But triathlete Jamie Cleveland, who is set to swim against Armstrong this weekend, wishes the disgraced cyclist would drop out.
“This whole masters swimming is him trying to sidestep his punishment,” said Cleveland, who owns Hill Country Running and Texas Ironman Multi-Sport Coaching. “I’ve been an endurance athlete all my life. I’ve taken great joy in discovering my limits; I’ve taken great joy in challenging my limits. It really irks me that (Armstrong) has admitted to doping and he’s shown no remorse.”
Armstrong, 41, began his competitive career as a swimmer before he moved on to triathlons, then cycling. Armstrong has entered the 500-, 1,000- and 1,650-yard freestyles. He’s seeded second in the 1,000 freestyle and third in both the 500 and 1,650.
