BUDAPEST, Aug 2: Hungary’s top sprinter Gabor Dobos has failed a drug test and faces a lifetime ban if his B sample confirms the use of a banned substance, the Hungarian Athletics Association (MASZ) said on Tuesday.

The runner failed a test on May 27 following a meet in Riga, Gusztav Rabold, president of MASZ, told MTI national news agency.

Hungarian public radio reported on its website that Dobos tested positive for abnormal levels of testosterone — the same substance that both Tour de France champion Floyd Landis and America's Olympic and world 100m champion Justin Gatlin tested positive for.

Rabold said that although the results of Dobos' B-samples are not known yet, the 30-year-old sprinter will not be allowed to compete in the European Athletics Championships in Gothenburg, Sweden, which start on Monday.

Hungary will also withdraw its 4X100 metres relay team, Rabold said.

Dobos already failed a drug test in 2000. A second positive sample would result in a lifetime ban.—AFP