Swimming: Andrew Bree, the only Irish swimmer to have qualified for this summer's Olympic Games in Beijing, has tested positive for a banned substance.
The 27-year-old, a veteran of the Sydney Olympics in 2000 and the current Irish record holder in the 200 metres breaststroke, provided a positive sample at the European Short Course championships held in Budapest in December of last year.
In a brief statement released this evening, Swim Ireland confirmed that "Andrew Bree has tested positive at a drug test taken during the December 2007 European Short Course championships.
"Swim Ireland is working with the appropriate authorities and Andrew Bree to progress to the next steps of the process as soon as possible."
Bree's family released a statement tonight in which they claim the University of Tennesse student had mistakenly taken an over-the-counter medicine.
"We believe that this negative test is the result of Andrew unwittingly taking a stimulant contained within an over-the-counter decongestant," read the statement.
"Andrew has never knowingly taken a banned substance and abhors the use of performance enhancing drugs. He will move to clear his name as quickly as possible so that he can continue preparations for the Beijing Olympics."