Teddy Atine-Venel tested positive for salbutamol ©Getty Images

France have been retrospectively disqualified from the men's 4x400 metres relay event at the 2017 World Championships in London after Teddy Atine-Venel tested positive for a banned substance.

A sample provided by Atine-Venel on July 16 2017 - the day he won the French national 400m title - was found to have contained salbutamol, typically used to treat asthma.

Atine-Venel has been sanctioned for the offence by the French Anti-Doping Agency (AFLD) more than four years after the positive test.

The French team at the World Championships, which also featured Ludvy Vaillant, Thomas Jordier and Mamoudou Hanne, finished eighth in the 4x400m relay.

They have now been stripped of that result following confirmation of the doping violation by Atine-Venel.

The French sprinter's positive test has led to the 4x400m relay team's disqualification ©Getty Images
The French sprinter's positive test has led to the 4x400m relay team's disqualification ©Getty Images

Atine-Venel was first notified of the positive test by the French Athletics Federation in February 2018.

The 36-year-old European bronze medallist was given a five-month suspension and all of his results between July 16 2017 and June 16 2018 have been annulled.

Atine-Venel said he had taken the substance to treat his asthma and is considering an appeal against the decision from the AFLD.

"I have been quite shocked by this whole procedure for the past four years," he said. 

"I have always been transparent."