Former world floor champion Daiane dos Santos tests positive for banned substance

October 30, 12:48 PMGymnastics ExaminerBlythe Lawrence

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Former World floor champion Daiane dos Santos of Brazil has tested positive for a banned weight loss drug, according to the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG).

In an imaginatively titled article called "Furosemide strikes again!", the FIG reports that dos Santos tested positive for Furosemide after being given an out of competition drug test in July. The case was passed on to the FIG's Disciplinary Commission on Thursday.

The springy Dos Santos, 26, became the first Brazilian woman to medal at a World Gymnastics Championship when she won floor exercise at the 2003 World Championships in Anaheim, Calif. Dos Santos was also the first woman to compete an Arabian double layout on floor exercise, a skill she debuted at the 2004 Olympic Games. She was a floor finalist at both the 2004 and 2008 Olympics, where she finished fifth and sixth, respectively.

Dos Santos, who is recovering from knee surgery, did not compete at the 2009 World Championships earlier this month. The FIG admitted that dos Santos might have been given the drug by mistake because of the surgery, according to the Associated Press.

Furosemide is a diuretic, meaning it causes urination and thereby drains the body of water, which can cause weight loss. It can also be used as a masking agent for other banned substances.

At the 2008 Olympics, Do Thi Ngan Thuong of Vietnam also tested positive for furosemide and was expelled from the Games, then given a one-year suspension.

Do later told the International Olympic Committee's Disciplinary Commission that she had taken weight loss pills on the advice of older athletes but did not know that they contained a banned substance. Do retired briefly but returned for the 2009 World Championships, where she competed on bars, beam and floor.

Daiane dos Santos, 2003 World Championships Event Finals, Floor: