Keita admits to failed drugs test

PARIS, France -- France's 400m hurdles Olympic bronze medallist Naman Keita has owned up to a major error of judgement after testing positive for testosterone at the world athletics championships in Osaka.

The French Athletics Federation has said it will not comment on the positive test until after Keita's B sample has been analyzed.

But Keita has owned up to the positive test, stressing he and he alone was to blame."I found out about it from the president (of the French federation, Bernard Amsalem) on Friday night," said Keita.

"It was an out of competition control made on August 20 in Wakayama (the training camp used by France to prepare for Osaka).

"I made a huge error. July was a catastrophic month for me in terms of performances and after the French championships I was suffering a little in my stomach.

"I was advised a dietary supplement to help the muscle regenerate and I ordered it off the internet. It wasn't my coach, nor my agent, nor anyone from the Federation who suggested doing it. The mistake I made myself," he added.

Keita, 29, has asked for the B sample to be tested but conceded he wasn't holding out much of hope of it coming back negative. "I've done that as you never know but I'm not a believer in Father Christmas."

He faces a two year suspension if the second test confirms the first result. E-mail to a friend