TAIPEI, Taiwan — A Taiwanese baseball player has been banned from participating in the team's first Olympic game after failing a drug test.

Taiwan Baseball Association Secretary-General Lin Tsung-cheng said that third baseman Chang Tai-shan did not suit up for Wednesday's opener against the Netherlands after the International Olympic Committee informed the association of the test results.

Taiwan is one of eight baseball teams participating in the Beijing Games. The sport is widely popular on the island and millions of fans follow the team.