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Fifteen months after the Beijing Olympics, Bahraini middle-distance runner Rashid Ramzi was stripped of his 1,500-metre gold medal and four other athletes were disqualified for doping at the games.
The International Olympic Committee took action against the five athletes who tested positive in April in retroactive tests for CERA, an advanced version of the blood-boosting drug EPO.
The Moroccan-born Ramzi was the only gold medallist from Beijing caught using performance-enhancing drugs. He had given Bahrain its first-ever Olympic track and field gold medal by winning the 1,500, one of the most prestigious events in the sport.
The IOC also stripped Italian cyclist Davide Rebellin of his silver medal in the Beijing road race, a decision which had been announced on Tuesday. Also disqualified were German cyclist Stefan Schumacher, Croatian 800m runner Vanja Perisic, and Greek race walker Athanasia Tsoumeleka. They did not win medals in Beijing.
All five athletes face possible two-year bans from their national federations. In addition, under IOC rules, they are ineligible for the next Olympics in London in 2012.
Ramzi was the biggest name among the five athletes caught in the re-tests. The IOC ordered Bahrain's Olympic committee (BOC) to return his gold medal 'as soon as possible' and asked the International Association of Athletics Federations to modify the 1,500 results and consider any further action against Ramzi.
BOC said in a statement that it expressed its regret and remorse for the situation. They respect the decision made by the IOC and will follow its procedures.
As for Ramzi, who still denies using performance enhancing drugs, the BOC will be holding 'further discussions' with him.
Asbel Kipruto Kiprop of Kenya stands to be upgraded from silver to gold in the 1,500. Nicolas Willis of New Zealand could go from bronze to silver, and fourth-place finisher Mehdi Baala of France would get the bronze. Ramzi could appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
