Former European 400m hurdles champion Kariem Hussein is out of the Olympics after the Swiss athlete was given a nine-month doping suspension, officials said on Friday.

The 32-year-old, a surprise winner of the European title on home soil in 2014, tested positive for a banned stimulant earlier this month. “At the request of anti-doping Switzerland, the Swiss Olympic Disciplinary Chamber has imposed a nine-month ban on athlete Kariem Hussein in a simplified procedure,” the Swiss Olympic Committee said in a statement.

Hussein reacted to the news by tweeting: “My dream of the Olympic Games in Tokyo is over. I was banned for 9 months.

“One lozenge (Gly-Coramin) contained an illegal substance.

“I made a mistake with grave consequences. I'm so sorry. But if you know me, you know I'll keep going.”