Lance Armstrong's attempt to compete again in regional swimming championship fails Lance Armstrong will return to competitive sport, but has swapped his bike for his swimming trunks. LANCE Armstrong's attempt to return to competitive sport as a swimmer has failed after world authorities demanded he be banned. An Armstrong spokesman did not immediately respond to an email requesting comment. The US Anti-Doping Agency banned Armstrong from sanctioned competition for life for his use of performance-enhancing drugs during a cycling career that included seven Tour de France titles. Butcher had said Armstrong, who is a US Masters Swimming member, would be allowed to compete in his 40-44 age group because the master's event did not fall under USADA drug testing rules. But FINA sent a letter to US Masters Swimming officials, saying that because US Masters Swimming is under its umbrella as a sanctioning body, it must recognise the World Anti-Doping Code and bar Armstrong from competition. "We're expecting them to apply the rules," FINA executive director Cornel Marculescu said. Armstrong had to register for the Austin event by March 31. According to the meet event sheets, Armstrong had the second-best qualifying time in the 1000 freestyle and No. 3 in the 1650- and 500 freestyle events. Armstrong, 41, had been pursuing a post-cycling career in triathlons before he was banned by USADA. He denied doping for years until USADA issued a massive report in 2012 detailing drug use by Armstrong and his teams. 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. Armstrong also was removed from the board of the Livestrong cancer foundation he formed in 1997 after being diagnosed with testicular cancer that had spread to his lungs and brain. Not everyone was happy at the prospect of competing against him at the Texas event. Jamie Cleveland, a local triathlete set to swim against Armstrong, said before Armstrong's withdrawal that he would rather have his famous rival drop out. "This whole Masters swimming is him trying to sidestep his punishment," Cleveland told the Austin-American Statesman. "I've been an endurance athlete all my life," Cleveland said. I've taken great joy in discovering my limits; I've taken great joy in challenging my limits. It really irks me that (Armstrong) has admitted to doping and he's shown no remorse.