ATHENS, Greece — Top Greek swimmer Ioannis Drymonakos tested positive for a banned steroid and likely will miss the Beijing Olympics.

Drymonakos is ranked second in the world for the 200-meter butterfly, according to the sport's world governing body, FINA, and holds the European record in the event. He was a strong medal hopeful for Greece in Beijing.

The Hellenic Swimming Federation said tests on a backup "B" sample from Drymonakos came back positive for Methyltrienolone — the same steroid which 11 Greek weightlifters tested positive for in a separate doping scandal.

"The athlete, after the latest developments, is withdrawing from swimming and reserves the right to exercise all legal rights to safeguard his honor and reputation," the swimmer's lawyer, Stavros Mavromatis, said in a written statement Wednesday.

The federation said the test on Drymonakos was conducted March 6, and that the athlete "and anyone else involved in the case" will be called to a disciplinary hearing on May 28. He could face a two-year ban.

Mavromatis, said the swimmer "never knowingly took or considered taking banned substances."

The lawyer said the steroid was "particularly toxic and placed (Drymonakos') health in immediate danger."

Mavromatis said the swimmer had been taking food supplements, but did not know if they might have contained banned substances.

"He lived for his sport. He was living in view of the upcoming Olympic Games. And now, days before these games, he is found positive for banned substances. You understand what psychological state he is in?" Mavromatis said on Greek radio.

"He doesn't want to point the finger at anyone. That is clear," he said. "But on the other hand, he categorically states that, `I have not knowingly taken anything."'

Last week, the national swimming federation had said an initial positive result for a Greek swimmer had come from an out-of-competition test by the country's national anti-doping council. It did not name the athlete.

In the weightlifting scandal, a prosecutor filed misdemeanor charges yesterday against 25 people, including the 11 athletes and the team's coaches and doctors.