Lance Armstrong drops out of swimming event

Austin, Texas: Lance Armstrong is pulling out of the pool.

US Masters Swimming Executive Director Rob Butcher says Armstrong has decided not to try to swim in the Masters South Central Zone Swimming Championships at the University of Texas this weekend after swimming’s international governing body raised objections.

Armstrong had been entered in three distance events. But Switzerland-based FINA sent a letter to US Masters officials on Thursday saying the event is under the umbrella of the World Anti-Doping Code and subject to the lifetime ban given to Armstrong by the US Anti-Doping Agency.

Butcher says Armstrong withdrew on his own on Thursday morning.