UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) yesterday confirmed that Welsh weightlifter, Andrew Riddiford has been suspended from all sport for four years following an anti-doping rule violation. On 1 January 2015, the revised WADA Code came into force which meant that the minimum sanction for intentional cheating was raised from two to four years. This case is the first four year sanction of its kind in the UK under the 2015 WADA Code.

Riddiford (26), who lives in Aberdare in South Wales, tested positive for exogenous anabolic androgenic steroids, Epistanozolol-N-glucuronide (a metabolite of Stanozolol) and Clenbuterol following an in-competition test at the Welsh Senior Championships on 8 March 2015. Riddiford is banned from all competition from 8 March 2015 until midnight on 7 March 2019. The full written decision can be found under current rule violations.

UKAD’s 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.”

• This media release was originally published on the UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) internet site on 18 June 2015. You can access the original by clicking here.