Andrew Bree has qualified for the Beijing Olympics

Irish swimmer Andrew Bree will hope to have his doping hearing held as soon as possible after opting not to have his B sample analysed.

Earlier this month, it was announced that Bree had failed a drugs test after the banned substance Levmethamfetamine was detected in a urine sample.

Bree attributed the result to him taking the US version of an over-the-counter decongestant.

The UK version of the Vicks Inhaler does not contain Levmethamfetamine.

Scottish skier Alain Baxter was stripped of an Olympic bronze medal in 2002 after using the same US version of the inhaler.

However, Baxter received a three-month ban for the offence and was able to resume his career.

Another case saw Bahamian triple jumper Leevan Sands receiving a six-month ban after being found to have taken Levmethamfetamine in 2006.

Bree cannot compete until his name is cleared and his hopes of participating in this year's Olympics are now in jeopardy after the positive drugs test at the European Short Course Championships in December.

The Northern Ireland man clinched Olympic qualification in July 2007 when taking part in the 200m breaststroke at the US Nationals.

Skier Alain Baxter was hit by a three-month ban in 2002

The World Anti-Doping Authority has said that athletes could receive a "reduced sanction" if they established that the use of "such a specified substance was not intended to enhance sport performance".

While refusing to comment on the specifics of the Bree case, Wada media relations manager Frederic Donze told BBC Sport that Levmethamfetamine is a "specified substance'.

"The (Wada) Code (Article 10.3) states that 'the prohibited list may identify specified substances which are particularly susceptible of unintentional anti-doping rule violations because of their general availability in medicinal products or which are less likely to be successfully abused as doping agents'," said Mr Donze.

"A doping violation involving such substances may result in a reduced sanction provided that the 'athlete can establish that the use of such a specified substance was not intended to enhance sport performance'."

However, the Irish Sports Council said last week that it had warned all its funded athletes about the dangers of using Vicks decongestant.

As is the case with all Irish athletes who fail drugs tests, the ISC has suspended funding for the 26-year-old Helen's Bay swimmer.

"In general I would be surprised that an elite athlete has made a mistake," said Dr Una May, manager of the ISC ani-doping programme.

"I suppose I would be disappointed - we do provide athletes with as much information as possible.

"Elite athletes should be aware at this stage. For the last number of years it has been included on our card."

The card urges athletes to exercise particular caution with the product as the European and US versions differ.