Armstrong comeback in pool ends in damp squib

Although Butcher said Armstrong withdrew from the event,he likely didn8217;t have a choice after FINA raised objections to his participation. An Armstrong spokesman did not immediately respond to an email requesting comment.

The U.S 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 Wednesday that Armstrong,who is a U.S. Masters Swimming member,would be allowed to compete in his 40-44 age group because the master8217;s event did not fall under USADA drug testing rules.

But FINA sent a letter to U.S. Masters Swimming officials,saying that because U.S. Masters Swimming is under its umbrella as a sanctioning body,it must recognize the World Anti-Doping Code and bar Armstrong from competition.

We8217;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 1,000 freestyle and No. 3 in the 1,650- 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.