Lance Armstrong to make competitive return as swimmer

Lance Armstrong will mark his competitive return to sport as a swimmer at the Masters South Central Zone Swimming Championships.

The disgraced cyclist, who has a lifetime ban from cycling due to his extensive doping past, is due to compete at the events in Texas this weekend.

Despite the controversy surrounding the 41-year-old, US Masters Swimming executive Rob Butcher has claimed that there has been no uproar in Armstrong competing at the event.

"The purpose of our organisation is to encourage adults to swim," Butcher told the Austin American-Statesman newspaper.

Armstrong was issued a lifetime ban from cycling by the United States Anti-Doping Agency and was stripped of his record seven Tour de France titles.

The Texan is permitted to compete as a swimmer as the event he will attend is not subject to USA or World Anti-Doping Agency codes.