The Moroccan-born Ramzi was one of five athletes who tested positive for CERA (Continuous Erythropoiesis Receptor Activator), the latest generation of the blood-boosting drug Erythropoietin (EPO).

The other athletes disqualified were German cyclist Stefan Schumacher, Croatian 800m runner Vanja Perisic and Greek walker Athanasia Tsoumeleka.

It had already been announced yesterday by the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) that cyclist Davide Rebellin had been stripped of the silver medal he had won in the road race.

Ramzi had been the first athlete representing Bahrain to win an Olympic gold medal but now the title will be awarded to Kenya's Asbel Kipruto Kiprop with New Zealander Nick Willis taking silver, and fourth-placed Mehdi Baala of France being upgraded to the bronze.

The five athletes had initially passed all the drugs tests but when a new test for CERA became available earlier this year the IOC re-tested the samples that had been stored.

All five athletes face possible two-year bans from their international federations.

In addition, under IOC rules, they are ineligible for the 2012 London Olympics.

Sebastian Coe, the chairman of London 2012, who won the Olympic 1500m title in 1980 and 1984, backed the IOC's decision to strip Ramzi of the title.

He said: "That was the right decision as cheats cannot prosper in our sport and people will realise that sooner or later.

"Unfortunately, it was high profile and we can do without it, but it also shows the quality of our testing procedures."


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May 2009:I was pleased Ramzi tested positive claims Cram
April 2009: Coe despair at Olympic 1500m champion positive test