Austrian swim champ hit with doping ban

A promising young Austrian swimmer, who won gold in the 200m individual medley at the 2015 European Games, has been slapped with a 12-month doping ban.

One of Austria's most promising young swimmers has been banned for 12 months for failing a doping test after winning four gold medals at the national championships in July.

The Austrian Anti-Doping Legal Committee says Sebastian Steffan has tested positive for heptaminol, a blood booster that improves cardiac contraction.

The 20-year-old Steffan's biggest international success is winning gold in the 200-metre individual medley at the 2015 European Games in Baku.

Steffan can appeal his suspension within four weeks.