FINA vs. U.S. Masters Swimming vs. Lance Armstrong
After participating in two Lake Travis Relay events, Lance Armstrong‘s previous acts as a professional cyclist has caught up with him in the open water swimming world.
Dr Keith Bell, founder of the American Swimming Association, announced, “Lance Armstrong has been banned for life from competing in any ASA-sanctioned or -hosted event. Armstrong competed as part of the SwimStrong team in the 2011 and 2012 Lake Travis Relay.
But Armstrong continues to want to swim and recently entered in the Masters South Central Zone Swimming Championships in Texas. FINA came out strongly against his participation in this U.S. Masters Swimming-sanctioned event with a press release:
Following reports on the media referring the participation of Mr. Lance Armstrong in the Masters South Central Zone Swimming Championships in Texas (USA), FINA would like to clarify that:
1. This national competition is under the jurisdiction of the US Masters Swimming;
2. FINA Rule DC 15.1 states:
“Subject to the right to appeal provided in DC 13, the Testing, therapeutic use exemptions and hearing results or other final adjudications of any Signatory to the Code which are consistent with the Code and are within the Signatory’s authority, shall be recognised and respected by FINA and its Member Federations.”
Therefore, FINA wrote a letter to the US Masters Swimming (with copy to US Aquatic Sports and USA Swimming) requesting not to accept the entry of Mr. Lance Armstrong in the above mentioned competition.
If U.S. Masters Swimming accepts FINA’s recommendations, Armstrong will be effectively barred from all U.S. Masters Swimming open water and pool swimming events. Taken a step further, we wonder if he may even be restricted from working out with masters swim teams. The consequences of his drug taking in the cycling world appear to follow him throughout his swimming career from here on out.
Photo of Lance Armstrong from SwimmerJoe.
Copyright © 2013 by Open Water Swimming
