is first British athlete to be banned for such a period since the change

Welsh weightlifter Andrew Riddiford has been banned for four years after testing positive for banned substances, UK Anti-Doping has announced.

The 26-year-old is the first British athlete to be suspended for such a period since the minimum sanction for intentional cheating was raised from two to four years by the World Anti-Doping Agency in January.

Riddiford, of Aberdare in south Wales, tested positive for the anabolic steroid Epistanozolol-N-glucuronide, and Clenbuterol following an in-competition test at the Welsh Senior Championships on March 8. His ban will expire at midnight on March 7, 2019.

Weightlifter Andrew Riddiford has been banned for four years after testing positive for banned substances

UKAD chief executive Nicole Sapstead said: 'I welcome UKAD's first four-year sanction under the 2015 WADA Code. It sends a clear message that intentional doping will not be tolerated and that those who do decide to cheat will now face tougher sanctions when they are caught.

'These tougher sanctions will not only protect clean sport in the UK by removing cheating athletes from the system for longer, but will also act as a greater deterrent to those who are, or are considering, cheating.'

Riddiford was not a funded athlete under the programmes of either Weightlifting Wales or British Weight Lifting but both organisations issued statements on the matter.

Ashley Metcalfe, chief executive of BWL, said: 'Although this individual is not a member of British Weight Lifting, we are obviously concerned when any athlete tests positive and as part of our commitment to promoting a drug-free sport we will work closely with Welsh Lifting and UKAD to conduct a review of the circumstances surrounding this positive anti-doping test result.

'British Weight Lifting will continue to fully support and work alongside with UKAD to ensure that our combined anti-doping programme and random testing across the sport is working.

'BWL has a comprehensive education programme for its athletes and coaches to ensure all are fully aware of the potential issues and consequences of any anti-doping violation."

Welsh Weightlifting chair Barry Eaton said: 'It is testimony to the process that is in place that someone who took part in a competition in Wales was tested and not allowed to get away with cheating.

'We have a zero-tolerance approach to doping and this is something we have communicated strongly to our members.