Olympic medallists allowed to compete at Paris Games despite World Athletics ban on Bahrain for anti-doping violations

The ban in question was installed from June 1, 2024 due to ‘serious anti-doping violations.’

Naser, who won the World 400m title in 2019, previously served a two-year ban in June 2021 after missing three doping tests within a 12-month period.

The 26-year-old set a season best time of 48.53 in the 400m final at the Paris Olympics while Yule won the 3,000m steeplechase in an Olympic record of 8:52.76. Ireland’s Rhasidat Adeleke finished fourth in that 400m final.

Rhasidat Adeleke of Ireland and Salwa Eid Naser of Bahrain in action during the Olympics 400m semi final in Paris

In a statement issued today, World Athletics outlined the background to the case without explaining why Bahraini athletes were not banned from competing in Paris, though they were limited to sending a team of ten.

The case dates back to the Tokyo Olympics. The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) issued a notice of charge against the Bahrain Athletics Association (BAA) for ‘serious anti-doping rule violations’…