Welsh hurdler Rhys Williams suspended from Commonwealth Games
WELSH 400m hurdler Rhys Williams has been pulled out of the Commonwealth Games after failing a drugs test.
Williams, Wales' European 400 metres hurdles champion, says he is "utterly devastated" by the decision.
"As a professional athlete, I have always supported and have been an advocate of clean sport," he said.
The Team Wales athletics co-captain, 30, denies knowingly taking any banned substance.
As a professional athlete, I have always supported and have been an advocate of clean sport
The 30-year-old son of rugby union great JJ Williams becomes the second Welsh athlete to be forced out of Glasgow 2014 over an alleged doping offence.
800m runner Gareth Warburton was withdrawn earlier this month.
Welsh Athletics said in a statement: "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 strongly supports clean sport and has established a comprehensive education programme for its athletes.
"Welsh Athletics is obviously concerned that this is the second anti-doping violation by a senior Welsh international athlete and will be conducting its own internal review.
"Welsh Athletics will not be making any further comment."
Williams, who was the co-captain of the Welsh athletics team in Glasgow, won the European title in Helsinki ahead of London 2012.
He also took bronze at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi four years ago.