He was found to have demethylpentilamine (DMPA) in his system, a substance prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and the ITU's anti-doping rules.

Silva claimed that the presence of the substance was a result of the use of a dietary supplement, Top Fuel Launch, prescribed by his nutritionist.

The ITU Anti-Doping panel were persuaded of this by Silva and agreed that it was an inadvertent error but ruled that he must still serve the six-month suspension.

The panel said he had been warned of the dangers of using supplements but that he had trusted flawed advice.

Silva, though, avoided the mandatory two-year sanction for a first anti-doping violation under article 10.2 of the ITU Anti-Doping rules.

The ban ends on May 9 and means that Silva must return his gold medal, prize money and lose ranking points.

The title has been awarded to Spain's Roger Roca Dalmau, who finished second on the day.

Victor Manuel Del Corral Morales, also from Spain, will move to silver medal position and France's Benoit Nicolas will be awarded the bronze medal.

Silva will, however, be back in time for the World Championships in Nancy later this year.

Silva, WADA or the Portuguese Triathlon Federation has the option of appealing the ruling at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

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