The World Athletics Council has implemented sanctions against the Bahrain Athletics Association (BAA) following historical violations of the World Athletics Anti-Doping Rules (ADR), as advised by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU). This decision, as reported on the World Athletics official website, comes after an 18-month investigation by the AIU into the BAA’s adherence to ADR 15, which imposes specific anti-doping obligations on Member Federations, separate from the World Anti-Doping Code.
The investigation was prompted by serious anti-doping infractions committed by two Bahraini athletes at the Tokyo Olympic Games, including the use of homologous blood transfusions. Additionally, it was revealed that the BAA had hired a coach banned for doping violations to work with the national team from 2019 to 2021.
The BAA cooperated with the AIU throughout the investigation. As a result, the BAA’s athlete quota for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games was limited to 10, a restriction that will also apply to the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo. Moreover, the BAA is barred from participating in any other World Athletics Series events until June 1, 2025.
Additionally, the BAA is prohibited from pursuing any athlete transfers of allegiance or recruiting foreign athletes until 2027. At the Paris 2024 Olympics, 11 of Bahrain’s 13 athletes were naturalized citizens, including Kenyan-born Winfred Yavi, who won a gold medal, and Nigerian-born Salwa Eid Naser, who took silver.
A significant condition placed on the BAA is the creation of an independent national anti-doping organization (NADO) in Bahrain, which must comply with World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) standards and be financed by the Bahrain government through at least 2026. The new NADO has been operational for a year, marking a commitment to uphold clean sport.
David Howman, Chair of the Athletics Integrity Unit, commended the BAA’s sincere efforts to rectify past misconduct and its dedication to reform. “In fact, much of the work to reform the federation commenced on a voluntary basis in 2023, as soon as the senior leadership of the BAA became aware of the issues uncovered by the AIU investigation. It has cooperated fully with the investigation and taken a lead in creating the strategic plan and operational roadmap required to create real change within the federation and within the sport. The creation of a new NADO in Bahrain is a particularly significant outcome for clean sport,” Howman remarked.
These sanctions reflect the ongoing commitment of the World Athletics Council to uphold the integrity of the sport and ensure fair competition on the global stage.
