Rio de Janeiro, June 16 (IANS): Brazilian swimmer Etiene Medeiros faces the prospect of missing this year's Olympic Games after failing a doping test, local authorities confirmed.

The 25-year-old was found to have traces of fenoterol in her urine during an out-of-competition test last month. Results of a B sample confirmed the presence of the banned substance, reports Xinhua.

Fenoterol is banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) because of its properties as a stimulant that increases hormone production.

"On June 15 the ABCD (Brazilian anti-doping authority) stated the facts to the CBDA (Brazilian swimming confederation) so that the confederation can begin disciplinary proceedings," the ABCD said in a statement.

Medeiros, who has qualified for the 50m freestyle, 100m freestyle and 100m backstroke at the Rio Olympics in August, said she unwittingly took the substance as part of her medication for asthma.

She is expected to appeal the decision in the coming days.