In this May 18, 2017 photo, Bahrain's Ruth Jebet poses on the podium of the Women's 5000m of the Athletics events at the Baku 2017 4th Islamic Solidarity Games at the Olympic Stadium in Baku. (GLYN KIRK / BAKU 2017 / AFP-SERVICES)

NAIROBI - Former steeplechase world record holder and Olympic gold medalist, Ruth Jebet, was banned for four years for doping offences, the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) announced on Wednesday.

Ruth Jebet tested positive for the blood booster EPO. She has the right to appeal the decision

The 23-year-old Jebet, a Kenyan-born Bahraini runner, trains in Kenya but competes for Bahrain. The ban has been backdated to February 2018 when she was suspended.

"World Athletics Disciplinary Tribunal has banned Rio 2016 Olympic gold medalist and former women's 3,000m steeplechase world record holder Ruth Jebet of Bahrain for 4 years with effect from Feb 4, 2018," AIU said in a statement.

Jebet tested positive for the blood booster EPO. She has the right to appeal the decision.

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"I was 21-year-old and didn't know about these medicines and supplements. At the time I took the some tablets and injection given by Nicholos Togom for therapeutic use, which he said is good for regeneration. I didn't know these medicines are prohibited. For sure you found this substance (EPO) in my urine and I am responsible of my body. I never took the substance intentionally," said Jebet.

Jebet denounced her Kenyan citizenship in 2013 at the age of 16 and first competed for her adopted oil-rich nation at the 2013 Arab Athletics Championships.

When Jebet took gold in the women's 3,000m steeplechase at Rio in 8 minutes and 59.75 seconds - at that point the second-fastest time in history - she was hailed as "Golden Ruth".

Her world record has since been shuttered by Kenya's Beatrice Chepkoech to current mark of 8:44.32.