( CNN ) -- Even at the age of 41 Lance Armstrong 's thirst for competition remains undimmed . But the disgraced doper 's quest to take part in a swimming event in Texas has been sunk before he 's even hit the water . Armstrong was banned from cycling for life by the United States Anti-Doping Agency after they accused him of running the `` most sophisticated , professionalized and successful doping program '' the sport had ever seen . He refused to cooperate with USADA 's investigation and was stripped of his seven Tour de France titles , later admitting taking performance enhancing drugs in an interview with Oprah Winfrey . Armstrong had hoped to compete at the Masters South Central Zone Swimming Championships in his home town of Austin this weekend , thinking it was not subject to USA or World Anti-Doping Agency codes . But after news of his entry in the 500 , 1,000 and 1,650-yard freestyle events , swimming 's governing body FINA stepped in to object to his participation . Lance Armstrong 's demise : How an all-American hero fell to earth . Now Armstrong 's camp say he wo n't take to the pool . Rob Butcher , executive director of U.S. Masters Swimming , who are staging the event , told CNN : `` The word back is that he is not eligible to participate in our competition because FINA follows the WADA code -- the World Anti-Doping Authority code . `` And , as such , we are bound -- through a couple layers of separation down -- to our events as well . `` So the takeaway is : while he has entered and you 'll see him on a heat sheet , he is not eligible to participate in that event . Or any other U.S.M.S competition . '' Two Lance Armstrong moves in the works . Butcher said upon informing Armstrong 's camp on Thursday morning , he will now withdraw from the event . Butcher added : `` After giving them this news , his people , not talking to him directly but his management team , said , 'You know what : we do n't want to cause harm to your organization . We 're not trying to create a sideshow circus for you guys . He 's just going to withdraw or not show up for the event . ' '' In a statement issued Thursday , U.S. Masters Swimming clarified its stance on the matter further . `` Lance Armstrong is not eligible to race in U.S. Masters Swimming competitions , '' it read . `` The former competitive cyclist has been a member of U.S. Masters Swimming for several years . The spirit and purpose of USMS is to encourage adults to swim . `` USMS is affiliated with FINA ( Federation Internationale de Natacion ) through United States Aquatic Sports . `` When we became aware that Mr. Armstrong entered the 2013 South Central Zone Championship in Austin , Texas , April 5-7 , a local event sanctioned by USMS , we contacted United States Aquatic Sports and FINA to clarify our responsibilities in this case . The event in question is conducted in a 25-yard pool , a non-Olympic course not contested on the international stage . `` After discussion with United States Aquatic Sports and FINA , it was agreed that although Mr. Armstrong is eligible for membership in U.S. Masters Swimming , he is not currently eligible to compete in sanctioned swimming competitions , regardless of the type of course . `` The World Anti-Doping Agency has banned Mr. Armstrong from competition . FINA accepts the WADA Code and USMS , as a member of United States Aquatic Sports , recognizes and respects adjudications under the Code . '' Armstrong had posted on his Twitter account last month that he was in swimming training but he will now have to wait to make his competitive debut in the pool . A statement posted on FINA 's website confirmed the competition was under the jurisdiction of U.S Masters Swimming and quoted FINA rule DC 15.1 . It reads : `` The Testing , therapeutic use exemptions and hearing results or other final adjudications of any Signatory to the Code which are consistent with the Code and are within the Signatory 's authority , shall be recognized and respected by FINA and its Member Federations . '' As a result they added : `` FINA wrote a letter to the U.S. Masters Swimming ( with copy to US Aquatic Sports and USA Swimming ) requesting not to accept the entry of Mr. Lance Armstrong in the above mentioned competition . '' Feds join whistle-blower lawsuit against Lance Armstrong . CNN 's Shannon Travis contributed to this story .
Disgraced cyclist Lance Armstrong pulls out of return to competitive sport . Armstrong entered an endurance swimming event in Texas this weekend . Swimming 's governing body ask organizers to forbid Armstrong from competing . The 41-year-old had his seven Tour de France titles stripped after admitting doping .