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.
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!
You do realize you have to be a member of USMS and USA Swimming to participate in their events, right?
Let it be…I appreciate all he has done for cancer education. It’s over – move on.
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.
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.
Yes, Mr. Nolan, I know about USMS. I created SWIMMER Magazine.
Congrats? This appears unrelated to doping bans.
All hail Bill Volckening, always here to tell us about how important he is.
At least my greatest accomplishments didn’t happen when I was 12.
In American football they call this “piling on”. Agree with the lame comment.
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?
He said he did not dope in 2010-2011 when he completed in the Tour… However, blood test say different.
ASA? Never heard of it
I think what they got their most notoriety for was the collegiate club championships.
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.
I forgot all about the Bells, are they still swimming? Does ASA have their own meets??
You can find more info here:
http://www.americanswimmingassociation.com/
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.
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 »
“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?
After reflecting on the whole experience, I realized my idea of fun had changed.
USMS really has nothing to offer me.
lame
Timeline of Lance Armstrong life:
http://velonews.competitor.com/2011/02/news/lance-armstrong-timeline-pre-comeback_160299