The French men’s 4x400m relay team has been disqualified from the 2017 World Athletics Championships that took place in London after Teddy Atine-Venel tested positive for a banned substance.

A sample taken on July 16, 2017, the day the athlete won the French 400m champion title, was found to be positive for salbutamol, according to an AFLD decision made public this fall.

The French also featured Ludvy Vaillant, Thomas Jordier and Mamoudou Hanne, finished eighth in the 4x400m relay.

He was first notified of the positive test by the French Athletics Federation (FAF) in February 2018.

The 36-year-old European bronze medallist was given a five-month suspension and all of his results between July 16 2017 and June 16 2018 have been annulled.

Atine-Venel cited exercise asthma as the reason for his positive salbutamol control.

“I have been quite shocked by this whole procedure for the past four years. I have always been transparent, “said Teddy Atine-Venel.