Eds: APNewsNow.

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) Former world champion gymnast Daiane dos Santos has tested positive for the drug Furosemide during a non-competition doping control.

The International Gymnastics Federation says on its Web site that Santos, the floor exercise world champion in 2003, had knee surgery this year and could have been given the drug by mistake.

She tested positive in July.

Furosemide, a weight-loss drug, can be used as a masking agent for other banned substances.

Calls to Brazil's national gymnastics federation and Santos' home club were not immediately returned. Santos faces a two-year ban. She has until Nov. 13 to present a defense to the federation.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 10-30-09 1001CDT | save this article / add to your favorites list