Sportswear manufacturer Adidas has suspended sponsoring U.S. sprinter Tyson Gay after he failed a drugs test. Mr Gay, 30, is the joint second-fastest man ever to run 100 metres, and clocked the fastest time this year. He tested positive for a banned substance in May. An Adidas spokesman said the allegations were shocking. He said: "Even if we presume his innocence until proven otherwise, our contract with Tyson is currently suspended." It has the right to end the contract if an athlete is guilty of using or having drugs or other forbidden substances. Adidas has sponsored Gay since 2005.

Gay is currently waiting to hear the results of his B-test, after the illegal drug was found in his initial A-test. He told reporters that he did not knowingly take part in any doping programme. He said: "I don't have a sabotage story. I basically put my trust in someone and was let down. I know exactly what went on, but I can't discuss it right now." He said he was still optimistic and hoped to run again. He added that he would "take whatever punishment I get like a man." News of Gay's test came after Jamaica's Asafa Powell, a former 100m world record holder, also failed a drugs test.