VILNIUS Discus thrower Romas Ubartas, who brought Lithuania their first Olympic gold medal after regaining independence from the Soviet Union, faces a life ban after a second positive dope test.

Ubartas, 41, a gold medalist at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, tested positive for the anabolic steroid boldenon at a training camp in the United States. He was suspended for four years in 1993 after testing positive for the same substance.

Lithuania Athletic Federation General Secretary Eugenijus Burokas told Reuters on Monday that although formal proceedings would take a month the outcome seemed clear.

"It's a shame, since he is a nice person with such big achievements but those are the facts," Burokas said.

According to local media, Ubartas is still in the United States and planned to compete in Europe in July and August.

Lithuania regained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.