Gay banned one year for doping

Former world double sprint champion Tyson Gay has been banned for one year after testing positin 2013 for a banned anabolic steroid.

According to the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), Gay has also returned the silver medal he won with the US 4x100 metres relay team at the 2012 London Olympics but will be eligible to return to competition as early as next month after admitting his offence and co-operating with investigators.

As part of the suspension he accepted, Gay, the joint second fastest man in history, was disqualified from all competitive results since July 15, 2012, the date he first used a product that contained a prohibited steroid.

The start of his ban was backdated to June 23, 2013, the day his doping sample was collected at the USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships and when he voluntarily stopped competing after being notified of his positive test.

The American 100 metres record holder can return to competition next month and will be eligible under US rules for future world championships and Olympics.

He had tearfully admitted last July he had failed an out-of-competition doping test, saying "I basically put my trust in someone and I was let down."

The 31-year-old could have been suspended for two years for his first doping offence but received a reduction because of his substantial assistance into the investigation of his case, USADA said.