Sweden's Backstrom fails doping test in Sochi

Sweden men's ice hockey player Nicklas Backstrom skates during a team practice at the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics, Feb 22, 2014, ahead of their gold medal game against Canada on Feb 23. [Photo/Agencies]

SOCHI, Russia - A Swedish Olympic official says hockey player Nicklas Backstrom has failed a doping test at the Sochi Games.

Swedish Olympic Committee spokesman Bjorn Folin said Sunday that Backstrom tested positive for a substance found in an allergy medication that he has taken for seven years.

Backstrom is the sixth athlete to fail a doping test at the Sochi Games.

He was listed on the lineups distributed before Sweden's 3-0 loss to Canada in the gold medal game, but was then scratched. It was not announced at that time why the standout forward didn't play.