Saudi Arabia's Youssef Masrahi, the Asian 400m record holder, was dropped from the Rio Olympics on Thursday after failing a drugs test, the country's Olympic committee announced.

The 28-year-old tested positive after a training session in June.

"So as to maintain the principle of transparency, the anti-doping committee of the athletics federation has decided to exclude Youssef Masrahi," said the Saudi authorities in a statement.

Masrahi, who has denied taking a banned substance, will face a hearing on August 7.

Source: AFP