April | 2013 | Steve Tilford

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.

I decided to fly out to California and get out of the smoke of eastern Kansas for just a little while. It seems like maybe we could be past the time this should be allowed. I hope the EPA is looking at the situation, because when the paper starts running articles about how bad the smoke is to normal people, it seems like people’s health should be protected before fat cattle.

That is just one reason anyway. I have some other stuff to do out here. And riding up and down the coast is nearly perfect for my condition right now. Climbing is sort of a chore, especially short climbs that I’d normally do out of my seat. I did feel pretty good riding nearly 400 miles last week, but think that I might have be a little rambunctious and am a little beat. It might of just been the smoke on Thursday, I don’t know, but I wasn’t that peppy.

I have been pretty stuffed up and feeling kind of weird, but hopefully that will pass. I am beginning to realize that this shoulder healing process is much longer than I anticipated. PT is going super slowly. I have a bunch of exercises I’m supposed to out here since I’m missing a couple sessions. It is going to be hard to push myself through that couple degrees of pain during each movement, but don’t worry Burt, I’m going to be diligent.

Okay, daylight is burning here. I’m anxious to get out on my bike. No Strava segment attempt down Via Capri for me this trip. That is a recipe for disaster, maybe even when I’m not hurt.