Caught in the act: Welsh 400 metre runner Rhys Williams hit with ban for doping offences

The 400 metres hurdler, who had been named co-captain of the Welsh athletics team for the Glasgow Games, took gold at the European Championships two years ago and secured a bronze in the Commonwealth Games in Delhi in 2010.

Williams, who follows compatriot and 800m runner Gareth Warburton in being found guilty of an anti-doping violation, said he was "utterly devastated" at the findings and denied ever knowingly taking a banned substance.

A statement from Welsh Athletics said: "Welsh Athletics can confirm the provisional suspension of Rhys Williams after being charged with committing an anti-doping rule violation under the IAAF Anti-Doping Rules.

"Rhys has the opportunity to respond to the charges against him and to have those charges determined at a full hearing before the National Anti-Doping Panel.

"Welsh Athletics is obviously concerned that this is the second ant-doping violation by a senior Welsh international athlete and will be conducting its own internal review."

Williams responded by releasing a statement to express his shock at the revelations.

It read: "I am utterly devastated about the news of this anti-doping rule violation, which has come as a great shock to me. From the outset, I would strongly like to state that I have not knowingly taken any banned substance.

"As a professional athlete, I have always supported and have been an advocate of clean sport. However, I recognise that the responsibility for this situation lies with me and I'm committed to working with UK Anti-Doping and will fully cooperate in the legal process.

"I'd like to take this opportunity to wish all the best to my team-mates at the Commonwealth Games. To be named Co-Team Captain for the Welsh Athletics Team was a great honour and I am distraught that I won't be able to fulfil this role and join them as part of Team Wales. I wish them all well."