Kenyan-Born Bahraini Runner Eunice Kirwa Handed 4-Year Ban for Doping

Kenyan-born Bahrain runner Eunice Jepkirui Kirwa has been handed a four-year ban for doping.

Eunice's suspension was announced on Monday by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) after she was found guilty of using a proscribed substance.

The decision was announced a month after the 2016 Rio Olympics silver medalist was provisionally suspended.

The athlete was suspended after traces of prohibited blood-booster EPO was detected in her blood sample. 

Eunice, 35, finished second in the Rio Olympics behind Jemimah Sumgong of Kenya.

Sumsong was also slapped with an eight-year ban early this year for allegedly attempting to hinder a probe into her use of EPO by submitting fake documents.

Eunice is allowed to appeal the ban at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).