World Athletics has announced a series of measures against Bahrain Athletics Association after several anti-doping rule violations were confirmed

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Bahrain is left without reinforcements: athletes banned from nationalising until 2027 for doping

Bahrain, a country that has been synonymous with controversy in international athletics due to its policy of nationalising athletes, especially Africans, has been subject to significant sanctions by World Athletics. This decision, taken after a thorough investigation, marks a turning point for sport in the Asian country and shows the determination of international sporting authorities to fight doping and promote the development of local talent.

On 24 August 2024, World Athletics announced a series of measures against Bahrain Athletics Association (BAA) after several anti-doping rule violations were confirmed. The most prominent of these sanctions is a ban on nationalising athletes until 2027, a direct blow to Bahrain's competition strategy, which had enjoyed significant success with naturalised athletes from Africa.

The decision followed an 18-month investigation by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) Board. The investigation began following doping incidents at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, where two Bahraini athletes were caught using matching blood transfusions, and the hiring of a coach sanctioned for doping.

In addition to the nationalisation ban, Bahrain is to invest $7.3 million in a strategic plan to reform its athletics federation. Among the main initiatives is the creation of a talent academy aimed at prioritising and developing local talent. This academy will not only help identify and develop the country's young athletes, but will also reduce dependence on foreign athletes, an aspect that has been criticised for years.

The plan also includes the creation of an independent anti-doping organisation, which complies with World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) standards. With these measures, Bahrain is seeking to demonstrate its commitment to clean sport and integrity in athletics.

Despite the sanctions, World Athletics has highlighted the cooperation of the BAA throughout the process. Since the violations were revealed, the association has shown ‘genuine contrition’ and has worked closely with the IUA to develop the strategic plan necessary to implement real changes to its sporting system.

AIU President David Howman underlined the importance of these reforms: ‘The BAA has shown genuine remorse for its past wrongdoing and commitment to change. The creation of a new National Anti-Doping Organisation in Bahrain is a particularly significant outcome for clean sport.

Bahrain's history of doping violations is not new. In recent years, several athletes have been sanctioned, including Kemi Adekoya, suspended in 2019 for four years after testing positive for steroids, and Marius Kimutai, winner of the Barcelona Marathon in 2023, who was suspended for three years after testing positive for EPO. These cases, along with more recent ones, have affected the country's reputation in the international sporting arena.

However, with these new guidelines and Bahrain's commitment to shift its focus towards developing local talent and implementing stricter anti-doping measures, there is hope that the country can regain its reputation and build a brighter and cleaner future in athletics.

The road will not be easy, and the success of these initiatives will depend on Bahrain's willingness to adhere to the new rules and demonstrate a true commitment to clean sport. The eyes of the athletics world will be watching to see if Bahrain can transform its system and become an example of integrity and talent development in sport.

These sanctions and the measures imposed not only seek to punish past infractions, but also to ensure that the sport remains clean and fair in the future. It is a reminder that integrity in sport is non-negotiable and that national federations must act responsibly to protect the core values of athletics.

The challenge is now in Bahrain's hands: to rebuild from scratch and demonstrate that change is possible, even in a field as complicated as top-level athletics.