Lance Armstrong to race at Masters swimming championships in Texas
Though Lance Armstrong has been banned from competing in any events sanctioned by U.S. Anti Doping Agency, the disgraced former cyclist has found another avenue to feed his competitive hunger: swimming.
Armstrong, 41, is set to race in three events at the Masters South Central Zone Swimming Championships at the University of Texas this weekend, according to the Associated Press. He’s set to participate in the 500, 1,000 and 1,650-yard freestyle in the 40- to 44-year-old age group.
PHOTOS: Lance Armstrong through the years
Armstrong had the second-best qualifying time in the 1000 and was third in the 1,650 and 500.
The U.S. Masters Swimming organization is not covered by the same anti-doping rules as the USADA, Executive Director Rob Butcher said. Armstrong received a lifetime ban from USADA events for his use of performance-enhancing drugs.
Armstrong appeared in a television interview with Oprah Winfrey in January when he admitted to taking banned substances, which included testosterone and the hormone EPO. He also denied claims that he forced his fellow team members to blood dope.
He did, however, express his interest in returning to competition.
“I deserve to be punished,†said Armstrong during the two-part interview with Winfrey. “I’m not sure I deserve the death penalty.â€
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The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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