American Swimming Association Bans Armstrong, Strips Titles

The following post is a press release, presented unaltered or unedited.

The American Swimming Association, llc (ASA) announced today that Lance Armstrong has been banned for life from competing in any ASA sanctioned or hosted event. Armstrong competed as part of the SwimStrong team in the 2011 and 2012 Lake Travis Relay. The Lake Travis Relay has been listed as one of the Top 10 Recreation Events in Austin, it is in the Top 50 Open Water Events in the USA and the Top 100 Open Water Events in the World.

Armstrong’s team finished first overall in the 2011 event and second in 2012. SwimStrong team has been disqualified and the results for both years have been adjusted accordingly.

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Samir Nagheenanajar
11 years ago

Oooh, a press release from some random local club (or whatever ASA is). When Armstrong finds out, he’s going to be crushed.

This really sounds like an attempt to attract some attention.

ps. ok, I see this ASA puts some races around Austin, TX (so much for being called American Association). And what a joke: to do any of those local races you have to become a member!

Coacherik
Reply to  Samir Nagheenanajar
11 years ago

You do realize you have to be a member of USMS and USA Swimming to participate in their events, right?

swimfan25
11 years ago

Let it be…I appreciate all he has done for cancer education. It’s over – move on.

11 years ago

And once again, Unites States Masters Swimming is the only sporting organization in the world that will allow Lance Armstrong to be a member and compete.

What’s wrong with USMS?

(that’s a rhetorical question, by the way…I know exactly what’s wrong with USMS).

C’mon SwimSwam, have some cojones and report on that aspect of the story.

Steve Nolan
Reply to  Bill Volckening
11 years ago

Maybe they’re just ahead of the curve. I, for one, am with them.

There are many drugs doctors are legally permitted to administer to Tour de France riders. Why are some approved and others not? Why does cortisone—which alleviates pain and enhances performance—represent an acceptable level of pharmaceutical aid, but not, say, stanozolol? Link.

And then there’s always the fact that…OMG dude, it’s masters swimming. Very few s**** are given.

Editor: please stop using F-Bombs in comments, or we’ll be forced to replace them with teenage colloquialisms.

Reply to  Steve Nolan
11 years ago

Yes, Mr. Nolan, I know about USMS. I created SWIMMER Magazine.

Steve Nolan
Reply to  Bill Volckening
11 years ago

Congrats? This appears unrelated to doping bans.

Charles Morton, Esq
Reply to  Bill Volckening
11 years ago

All hail Bill Volckening, always here to tell us about how important he is.

Reply to  Charles Morton, Esq
11 years ago

At least my greatest accomplishments didn’t happen when I was 12.

jeantuehl
11 years ago

In American football they call this “piling on”. Agree with the lame comment.

WDE
11 years ago

Has he admitted to doping in 2001 and 2012?? Can they prove that he did?? If both No’s, then how can they come to this decision?

WHOKNOWS
Reply to  WDE
11 years ago

He said he did not dope in 2010-2011 when he completed in the Tour… However, blood test say different.

Coach2016
11 years ago

ASA? Never heard of it

Reply to  Braden Keith
11 years ago

ASA, originally called the Adult Swimming Association, was started by Keith and Sandy Neilson Bell when they finally got fed up with USMS. Imagine being so pissed off at an NGB that you start your own organization, and that’s what you’ve got. There’s another potentially interesting story idea for SwimSwam. Ask the Bells why they left USMS and formed their own organization. I’m sure you’ll get an earful.

liquidassets
Reply to  Bill Volckening
11 years ago

I forgot all about the Bells, are they still swimming? Does ASA have their own meets??

Reply to  liquidassets
11 years ago

You can find more info here:

http://www.americanswimmingassociation.com/

A Swimmer
Reply to  Bill Volckening
11 years ago

another interesting story idea for SwimSwam might be:

Ask those in USMS who had to deal with the Bells before they left USMS to form their Adult Swimming Society. You might get an earful and a more balanced understanding of the situation.

ASA’s press release banning Lance is a publicity ploy and an excuse to forbid him to participate in their events, like the Lake Travis Relays.
ASA has “banned” other swimmers for less.

Reply to  A Swimmer
11 years ago

I never got to see them in action at the convention, but heard they were pretty flip-O. Someone once told me they would stand up in the House of Delegates and say the most outrageous things. I also agree it was probably a publicity stunt.

For every story like the Bells there are dozens of people who left USMS for legitimate reasons, with stories USMS would prefer you don’t hear. Ask Julie Heather why she threw her Ransom Arthur Award in the trash. Ask me why I left. etc. These stories make USMS very uncomfortable because they’re true and they reflect very poorly on the leadership of the organization.

It’s OK that people don’t care about these stories… Read more »

A Swimmer
Reply to  A Swimmer
11 years ago

“there are dozens of people who left USMS for legitimate reasons, with stories USMS would prefer you don’t hear.”
Sorry to hear that you and others left USMS. Maybe it’s best to not get involved with leadership and being in the know on the behind the scenes dirty details. What’s wrong with training for fun and showing up at meets to race, for fun?

Reply to  A Swimmer
11 years ago

After reflecting on the whole experience, I realized my idea of fun had changed.
USMS really has nothing to offer me.

anonymous
11 years ago

lame

WHOKNOWS
11 years ago

About Braden Keith

Braden Keith

Braden Keith is the Editor-in-Chief and a co-founder/co-owner of SwimSwam.com. He first got his feet wet by building The Swimmers' Circle beginning in January 2010, and now comes to SwimSwam to use that experience and help build a new leader in the sport of swimming. Aside from his life on the InterWet, …

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