CANBERRA, March 30 (Xinhua) -- Former Olympic champion Ian Thorpe of Australia tested positive for banned hormone testosterone before his retirement last year, said French newspaper L'Equipe's on its website on Friday.

    The 24-year-old, who retired in November, was a major star of the sport, winning five Olympic gold medals and 11 world titles, while also setting 23 world records.

    But according to L'Equipe, he tested positive for abnormally high levels of testosterone and luteinizing hormone.

    L'Equipe added that the Australian Anti-Doping Agency (ASADA) decided to close the file because they did not have sufficient "scientific certitude."

    However, the International Swimming Federation (FINA) appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in an effort to reopen the file.