Welsh weightlifter Riddiford gets 4-year doping ban

LONDON (AP) A Welsh weightlifter has become the first British athlete to receive a four-year ban under the new World Anti-Doping code.

The UK Anti-Doping agency announced on Thursday that Andrew Riddiford was suspended after testing positive for the steroids stanozolol and clenbuterol at the Welsh Senior Championships on March 8.

The 26-year-old Riddiford received a four-year sanction in line with the revised doping code that came into force this year. Previously, the standard punishment was a two-year ban.

Riddiford is banned from all competition until March 7, 2019.

UKAD chief executive Nicole Sapstead says the four-year penalty ''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.''