Lance Armstrong pulls out of master’s swimming event

Disgraced professional cyclist Lance Armstrong has withdrawn from a master’s-level swimming competition in Texas this weekend after his registration was disputed by the swimming governing body.

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Disgraced professional cyclist Lance Armstrong has withdrawn from a master’s-level swimming competition in Texas this weekend after his registration was disputed by the swimming governing body.

The report, from BBC News, comes after reports Wednesday that Armstrong was registered to compete in three events at the Masters South Central Zone Swimming Championships at the University of Texas.

U.S. Masters Swimming is not covered by the same rules as the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, which has barred Armstrong from competing in any of its events for life, The Associated Press reported on Wednesday. In fact, swimmers at the master’s level aren’t even tested for drugs at all. Rather, the point is to encourage swimming among older adults.

But, swimming’s international body wasn’t ready for Armstrong to make his sporting comeback in the pool after he finally admitted to years of doping during his professional cycling career. The Switzerland-based FINA sent a letter to the competition, saying that Armstrong should not compete, reports the Associated Press. Armstrong pulled out of his own accord.