FINA forces Armstrong out of weekend swimming adventure

Oprah Winfrey (R) speaks with Lance Armstrong during the exclusive interview regarding the controversy surrounding his cycling career on January 14, 2013 in Austin, Texas. The Texan was looking to make a comeback as a swimmer. (Getty Images)

Better sense has been made to prevail. Sports aren’t for cheats, even if it happens to be a certain cancer survivor called Lance Armstrong. FINA was forced to intervene and prevent the drug cheat from circumventing his lifetime ban, after the 41-year-old committed an entry at the Masters South Central Zone Swimming Championships in Austin, Texas. The former cyclist was seeking to take advantage of the fact that the event does not come under the purview of the United States Anti-Doping Agency sanction. Armstrong was scheduled to participate in three freestyle events over 500, 1000 and 1650 yards starting Friday.

However FINA, the International Swimming Federation took cognizance of the growing concerns over the banned athlete alongside the respected bunch of US Masters competitors. It is learnt that FINA sent out a letter to the US Masters Swimming organisers that the event needs to adhere to the World Anti-Doping Agency rules and subject to the sanctions imposed by the USADA.

There wasn’t any comment from the Armstrong camp, but the developments are bound to cause more pain for the isolated Armstrong and his cronies. “He doesn’t want to cause any more harm to any more organisations,” commented a generous and condescending Rob Butcher, the executive director of US Masters Swimming. Butcher had earlier confirmed that Armstrong had withdrawn his entry after learning of the directives from FINA. “His interest was around fitness and training,” added Butcher. “In light of FINA and the other political stuff, he will not be swimming.”

Last year USADA banned the 41-year-old for life after years of investigating the seven-time Tour de France winner for doping. It is since accepted that the cancer survivor ignored sporting sense to run what is considered the most sophisticated doping racket in the history of sport to pursue his ego-centred agenda of ill-gotten success and wealth. The Texan had bulldozed and stonewalled repeated allegations of malpractice using his considerable clout to sue and intimidate his accusers.

However, the disgraced champion admitted to taking steroids, banned substances, blood boosters and sophisticated medical techniques to cover his nasty trail in a contrived interview pre-recorded on his terms at his home by the obliging television diva, Oprah Winfrey. The feeble attempt turned out to be no more than a lame effort to gain credibility to ensure he retained his dwindling sources of income.

FINA’s commendable effort to prevent the American from a finding a convenient path to rehabilitate himself as a curious object of commercial exhibitionism has to be commended, as it comes just in time to ensure that the US Swimming Masters event can progress this weekend without the dark looming shadow of Armstrong.