Lance Armstrong forced to pull out of swimming event

Disgraced cyclist Lance Armstrong has been forced to pull out of this weekend's Masters South Central Zone Swimming Championships in Texas.

The 41-year-old was due to make his competitive return to sport as a swimmer for the first time since his doping past was revealed.

While the event itself was thought not to be subject to the USA and World Anti-Doping Agency, it is understood that Armstrong pulled out due to pressure from the governing body of swimming.

The organisation claimed that Armstrong, who was given a lifetime ban from cycling, would be breaking the rules if he entered and a request for his admission not to be accepted would be made, according to Sky Sports News.

Armstrong was stripped of his record seven Tour de France titles.