THE HAGUE: Dutch gymnast Yuri van Gelder, the 2005 world rings champion, has been suspended for a year by the Dutch gymnastics federation (KNGU) after testing positive for cocaine.

Van Gelder, the reigning European champion on the rings, tested positive during the national championships last June. He admitted taking cocaine and will return the gold medal he won there.

"You have to pay for your mistakes," he told the ANP news agency.

"The Thursday before the championships I took cocaine. I was tested following my final. I suppose that three days after taking the drug traces could still be found in my urine," he said. - AFP/de