9 critical steps Bahrain must undertake to meet World Athletics requirements after doping scandals

On Thursday, the World Athletics Council endorsed a series of measures for the Bahrain Athletics Association (BAA), following extensive anti-doping rule violations.

This decision comes after a detailed investigation by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU), sparked by infractions at the Tokyo Olympic Games and other critical oversight failures.

Here is what Bahrain must do to restore its standing in the global athletics community and ensure a cleaner, fairer sporting environment.

The first step involves the BAA developing and implementing a detailed Strategic Plan and Operational Roadmap (SPOR).

Bahrain have been heavily sanctioned by World Athletics over doping scandals which will heavily impact their athletes, including Kenyan-born Olympic champion Winfred Yavi.

This plan must outline clear strategies and measurable goals to address the root causes of the doping scandals and ensure compliance with World Athletics’ standards.

The success of this initiative will hinge on setting transparent benchmarks and regular audits to track progress effectively.

Bahrain must guarantee the operation of an independent, World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)-compliant national anti-doping organization (NADO).

Established in 2023, this entity needs to be fully functional with adequate funding from the Bahrain government until at least the end of 2026.

This will be crucial for conducting unbiased doping tests and fostering a culture of clean sport throughout the country.

As a corrective measure, the BAA’s participation in major events like the Paris 2024 Olympics and the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25 will be restricted to a maximum of 10 athletes.

Additionally, Bahrain will not partake in any World Athletics Series events for 12 months starting from June 2024.

This period should be used to focus inwardly on rebuilding the federation’s credibility and enhancing internal compliance mechanisms.

Bahrain has agreed not to apply for any transfers of allegiance or recruit any foreign athletes until 2027.

This pause will help the BAA to concentrate on nurturing home-grown talent and ensure that the reformed systems are well-established and robust enough to handle future recruitments ethically and transparently.

The establishment of a talent academy is a pivotal move towards cultivating local athletic talent.

This initiative must focus on identifying and developing young athletes from Bahrain, providing them with high-quality training and competitive opportunities.

Investing in local talent is essential for the long-term sustainability and integrity of Bahraini athletics.

A significant financial commitment of $7.3 million (Ksh 940 million) over four years will be directed towards addressing doping and integrity risks.

It’s imperative that these funds are allocated judiciously to areas that directly contribute to the strategic overhaul of the federation, such as anti-doping education, athlete development, and operational enhancements.

The BAA is required to cover the costs incurred by the AIU during the investigation and the implementation of the SPOR.

This not only serves as a financial penalty for past misdemeanors but also as a stark reminder of the fiscal implications of non-compliance.

Transparent accounting and reporting of these expenses will be key in maintaining trust with World Athletics.

Beyond structural and procedural reforms, cultivating an organizational culture that values integrity, fairness, and transparency is essential.

This cultural shift should permeate all levels of the BAA, from athletes and coaches to senior officials, to prevent future violations and instill a permanent ethos of clean competition.

Finally, ongoing communication and collaboration with World Athletics and the AIU will be crucial.

The BAA must remain proactive in its engagements, regularly updating on progress and challenges.

This open line of communication will help ensure that the federation remains aligned with international standards and can adapt to evolving anti-doping protocols.