I saw this article at Cyclingnews saying that Lance had entered a Region Masters Swim Championship in Austin this weekend. It irked me that the executive director of USMS, Rob Butcher, issued this statement – “Our mission, dating back to the 60s, is we encourage adults to swim. Lance is a member of USMS so he is eligible to swim.”
It irked me enough that I decided to send an email off to Rob to tell him how short sighted and ignorant that statement was. And how bad a message their decision on this was on so many levels.
Rob was kind enough to send me back this statement, which is the official statement of United States Masters Swimming –
Lance Armstrong Eligibility
Sarasota, Fla. April 4, 2013—Lance Armstrong is not eligible to race in U.S. Masters Swimming competitions.
The former competitive cyclist has been a member of U.S. Masters Swimming for several years. The spirit and purpose of USMS is to encourage adults to swim.
USMS is affiliated with FINA (Federation Internationale de Natacion) through United States Aquatic Sports.
When we became aware that Mr. Armstrong entered the 2013 South Central Zone Championship in Austin, Texas, April 5–7, a local event sanctioned by USMS, we contacted United States Aquatic Sports and FINA to clarify our responsibilities in this case. The event in question is conducted in a 25-yard pool, a non-Olympic course not contested on the international stage.
After discussion with United States Aquatic Sports and FINA, it was agreed that although Mr. Armstrong is eligible for membership in U.S. Masters Swimming, he is not currently eligible to compete in sanctioned swimming competitions, regardless of the type of course.
The World Anti-Doping Agency has banned Mr. Armstrong from competition. FINA accepts the WADA Code and USMS, as a member of United States Aquatic Sports, recognizes and respects adjudications under the Code.
… Rob
I’m glad that they came to their senses and made the right decision.
It’s not like I have any sort of grudge towards Lance. If anything, I feel pretty bad for him. Man, his desire to compete competitively in virtually any endurance race or sport, seems unreal. But, he does have a lifetime ban by a sporting body and when that is in place, then the rest of sport needs to hold united and honor that sanction.
I have to admit, it seems sort of unfair that some of these other guys that testified “against” Lance, did their 6 month chair-in-the-corner stint, and are racing in Europe on Pro Tour Teams. As Lance said in his Oprah deal, he made an error on when and how to “come clean” and now it is costing him big time.
I think that Lance either needs to figure out a way to make a deal with USADA and reduce his suspension time or figure out a way personally deal with not being able to test himself through athletic competition.
Lance needs to take up a sport that he doesn’t need a license or permission to compete. Something that is challenging and hard, on an endurance level, but is more man against himself and nature. I’m sure there are other things that fit these parameters, but mountain climbing comes to mind here. I mean sans bike here, like walking up mountains. It might be something that Lance could do to rid himself of some of his competitive desires. But, it’s just a suggestion. I do know that he needs to stay away from pretty much all sports where people compete against other people. Those are the ones he has a lifetime ban.
I wonder if Lance ever told Dave Weins he was sorry for beating him by 25 minutes at Leadville?
If he really got into the sport of mountain climbing and wanted to write a book, this title is already taken.
Perhaps disc golf? Or for that plain ol’ ordinary golf.
Perhaps the NEW-Rage sport of EXTREME obstacle course competitions would suffice?
He should be able to win the MS150 since there’s no drug testing.
How about the Barkley Marathons? Once you manage to get an entry you still need to finish the thing.
http://www.mattmahoney.net/barkley/
Unfortunately, Lance will never be interested in an athletic pursuit where the objective is completely internally driven. He always has to have someone to beat. I wouldn’t want to be on his team when making a big ascent. The potential for someone dying because he had to summit regardless of conditions would be way to high.
Lol. I love it very much, but there is nothing endurance about disc golf. Except for those times when you get too wasted. Attempting to finish 18 holes after eight beers and some other stuff might be considered endurance.
“I have to admit, it seems sort of unfair that some of these other guys that testified “against” Lance, did their 6 month chair-in-the-corner stint, and are not racing in Europe on Pro Tour Teams. As Lance said in his Oprah deal, he made an error on when and how to “come clean” and now it is costing him big time.”
Didn’t you mean to say “…and are racing in Europe and Pro Tour Teams.”
All the Garmen boys are still at it, who got the 6 month suspensions. Last time I checked, Levi Leipheimer, is the only one of the 6 month banned racers who testified against Armstrong and is still without a pro contract.
Would Strava void Lance’s KOM’s?
I hope so…
im not trying to hear all that noise let Armstrong compete in MMA !
The last thing I read about Lance’s Leadville win is the promoter wouldn’t revise results. When a promoter embraces doping, it goes to show you how big a problem doping really is.
IF the results were revised, Weins becomes the 7-TIME WINNER of Leadville. Oh the irony…. And yes, I believe Wiens to be clean.
Lance needs to get a job. I don’t think his own legendary opinion of himself would permit mingling with “normal” people. Mr. Burns from The Simpsons comes to mind….
I normally don’t get to bent out of shape about these things but when I saw the Rob guy say “promote swimming nonsense” I emailed every top official at US Masters Swimming letting them know what BS this is. I received the same reply as you.
I sent one back to Rob stating it was nice to see he took Armstrongs D**k out of his mouth.
This good ol’boy system is a joke. Whatever happened to being a man and doing the right thing.
He can do a “Levi”: jump into a local race and follow the fastest guys, then pull off course before the finish.
Dancing With The Stars. Naked Survivor. Japanese Obstacle shows.
Biggest Loser…