Winfred Yavi’s Bahrain Banned From Poaching Athletes From Africa

• Bahrain have been slapped with various sanctions related to doping and recruitment of foreign athletes
• World Athletics said the sanctions came following an 18-month investigation by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU)
• Two of Bahrain's four medals at the 2024 Paris Olympics were won by athletes born in Kenya and Nigeria

Bahrain have been hit with a package of sanctions by World Athletics weeks after the 2024 Paris Olympics.

The Middle Eastern country will not be allowed to naturalize more athletes until 2027.

They won four medals at the Paris Olympics, with Kenyan-born Winfred Yavi winning gold in the women's 3000m steeplechase and Nigeria-born Salwa Eid Naser winning silver in the 400m.

World Athletics has released a statement saying it has approved the Athletics Integrity Unit's (AIU) recommendation to impose sanctions on the Bahrain Athletics Association (BAA).

This comes after AIU's 18-month investigation, necessitated by breaches of the World Athletics Anti-Doping Rules (ADR). Two Bahraini athletes violated anti-doping rules at the Tokyo Olympics, and they engaged a banned coach.

What will happen to Bahrain?

BAA received two charges, which they admitted and agreed to several consequences, including limiting their athletes to the Paris Olympics and 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo to 10.

They will also not be allowed to recruit foreign athletes until 2027. Yavi, born in Kenya, won one of Bahrain's gold medals at the Paris Olympics.

Furthermore, Bahrain will have to spend up to $7.3 million in four years to establish a National Anti-Doping Organisation (NADO), develop Bahraini talent, and stop relying on foreign athletes.

Why did Yavi pick Bahrain over Kenya?

At the same time, TUKO.co.ke previously reported on the Makueni-born 3000m steeplechase star discussing why she chose to compete for Bahrain.

She said stiff competition in the Kenyan trials made opportunities hard to come by, forcing her to switch allegiance as a result.

In 2016, she emerged third overall, but they were only picking the top two, and she was locked out. When Bahrain came calling, she took up the opportunity and won an Olympic gold and world title.

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Winfred Yavi defeated Kenyan athletes to win gold in the women's 3000m steeplechase at the 2024 Paris Olympics

Winfred Yavi’s Bahrain Banned From Poaching Athletes From Africa - Tuko

Bahrain Banned From Poaching Athletes From Kenya & Other Countries