The 24-year-old, who retired in November, was a major star of the sport, winning five Olympic crowns and eleven 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 said the Australian Sport Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) decided to close Thorpe's case after studying the evidence.

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