Lance Armstrong is looking to make a splash with a return to competition — in swimming.
The disgraced cyclist has signed up for three events this weekend at the US Masters South Central Zone Swimming Championships at the University of Texas.
Armstrong spokesman Mark Higgins on Wednesday said that Armstrong, 41, will compete in the 40 to 44 age group in the 500, 1,000 and the 1,650-yard freestyle races.
US Masters Swimming (USMS) executive director Rob Butcher said the organization is not covered under the anti-doping rules set by the US Anti-Doping Agency, which banned Armstrong for life from its sanctioned events for his performance-enhancing drug use during his cycling career.
“Our mission, dating back to the 60s, is we encourage adults to swim,” Butcher said. “Lance is a member of USMS so he is eligible to swim.”
Armstrong had been pursuing a post-cycling career in triathlons before he was banned by the agency.
According to the meet event sheets, Armstrong has the second-best qualifying time in the 1,000 and No. 3 in the 1,650 and 500.
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