Armstrong denied swimming event entry

New York, April 5 (IANS) Lance Armstrong’s plan to return to athletic competition was stopped by the International Swimming Federation (FINA) as he was pulled out of a swimming event.

Armstrong, who is serving a lifetime ban from Olympic sports because of his doping violations, will not compete in the Masters South Central Zone Swimming Championships at the University of Texas this weekend after FINA raised objections Thursday, reports Xinhua.

The 41-year-old American, as a US Masters Swimming member, would be allowed to compete in the 40-44 age group because the master’s event did not test its athletes for drugs. But FINA sent a letter to US Masters Swimming officials saying that they must bar Armstrong from its event according to the World Anti-Doping Code as the organisation is overseen by swimming’s international body.

The US Anti-Doping Agency banned Armstrong from sanctioned competition for life for his use of performance-enhancing drugs during a cycling career and he was stripped of his seven titles of the Tour de France.

In January, Armstrong admitted during an interview with Oprah Winfrey that he used steroids, blood boosters and other banned performance-enhancing drugs and methods during his career.

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