The 1500 metres gold medal won by Rashid Ramzi at the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics was subsequently stripped following a positive test for the blood-boosting substance CERA. This disqualification concluded a career that saw the runner represent both Morocco and Bahrain on the global stage while achieving unprecedented results in middle-distance athletics.
Early Career and Nationality Transfer
Born on 17 July 1980 in Safi, Morocco, Ramzi initially competed for his home nation. His early achievements included a silver medal in the 1500 metres at the 1999 African Junior Athletics Championships and a national championship title in 2001. In 2002, he joined the Bahraini armed forces and acquired citizenship in Bahrain, enabling him to represent his new country in international athletics.
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Following his transfer to Bahrain, Ramzi established dominance within the Asian circuit, securing gold at the 2002 Asian Games. During 2003, he claimed three 1500 metres gold medals at the Pan Arab Athletics Championships, the Gulf Cooperation Council Championships, and the Asian Athletics Championships. He expanded his reach in 2004 by winning gold in the 800 metres and 1500 metres at the Asian Indoor Athletics Championships. That same year, he earned a silver medal at the IAAF World Indoor Championships after setting an Asian record in the 800 metres.
World Championship Double
At the 2005 World Championships in Athletics, Ramzi achieved a rare feat by winning gold in both the 800 metres and the 1500 metres. He became the first athlete to secure this specific double at the competition. While he failed to retain these titles at the 2007 World Championships, he successfully claimed the silver medal in the 1500 metres. He also earned a bronze medal at the 2006 Asian Games.
Doping Sanctions
In 2009, the Bahrain Olympic Committee confirmed that Ramzi had tested positive for CERA, an advanced iteration of EPO, during the 2008 Beijing Games. Following the verification of his B-sample in June 2009, the International Olympic Committee stripped him of the gold medal in November 2009. This infraction resulted in a two-year exclusion from professional sport.
Fast facts
- Born: 17 July 1980, Safi, Morocco
- Citizenship: Bahrain, Morocco
- Primary Events: 800 metres, 1500 metres
- 2005 World Championship Gold: 800m and 1500m
- 2008 Olympic Status: Stripped of gold medal
- Primary Training Location: Morocco
Questions readers ask
Did Rashid Ramzi ever represent Morocco in competition?
Yes. He competed for Morocco before joining the Bahraini armed forces and gaining Bahraini citizenship in 2002.
Why was his 2008 Olympic medal removed?
He tested positive for the banned blood-boosting substance CERA, as confirmed by both his initial sample and a B-sample analysis.
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