World Athletics bans Bahrain from poaching foreign athletes

World Sports Organization has banned Bahrain from recruiting foreign athletes until 2027.

The move comes after Winfred Mutile Yavi’s victory at the Paris Olympics, which raised questions as to why Kenyan athletes support other countries and not their own.

The Board’s decision, announced on Thursday, August 22, is the result of a rigorous investigation by the Board of Directors Integrity Unit (AIU), which revealed the historic anti-doping violations of the Bahrain Athletics Association (BAA).

The decision is limited, as Bahrain is prohibited from asking for any transfer of support or bringing in foreign players for the next four years.

As part of the agreement, Bahrain will establish and fund art schools aimed at developing local talent, a move that many expect will reduce the country’s former reliance on foreign players.

The ban includes restrictions on Bahrain’s participation in major events, limiting the number of athletes it can send to the Paris 2024 Games and the Tokyo 2025 World Championships to just ten.

In addition, Bahrain will not participate in any other World Cup events for 12 months from June 2024.

Admitting charges, accepting sanctions

The Council expressed Bahrain’s support throughout the investigation, noting that BAA admitted the charges and accepted the sanctions.

Bahrain’s commitment to reform includes investing $7.3 million over the next four years to combat doping and vertical risks within its sporting program.

The country also agreed to implement a strategic plan, developed in consultation with the AIU, to reform its sports organization and better manage the issue of fairness.

In addition, Bahrain will establish an independent and fully funded national anti-doping body, following the principles of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), which will operate until at least the end of 2026.