Lance Armstrong is planning to return to competitive sport... not as a cyclist but a swimmer.
Disgraced cyclist Lance Armstrong tries to return to competition by signing up for three swimming events not covered by the US Anti-Doping Agency rules.
Armstrong, banned for life by the USADA from its sanctioned events for his performance-enhancing drug use during his cycling career, intended to swim this weekend at the Masters South Central Zone Swimming Championships at the University of Texas, Xinhua reports.
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The 41-year-old will compete in the 40-44 age group in freestyle races over 500 yards, 1,000 yards and 1,650 yards at the event held in his home city of Austin.
US Masters Swimming is not covered under the same drug testing rules of the US Anti-Doping Agency although the organisation has a divergence of opinion on whether they should start to do drug tests or ban athletes convicted of doping.
He is able to compete as US Masters Swimming events are not subject to USA or World Anti-Doping Agency codes.
Armstrong was stripped of his seven Tour de France titles after deciding not to defend doping charges filed against him last August.