Archive · 25 Sep 2026
African-Born Runners Reshape Asian Games Distance Medal Race
Some runners born in Africa now compete for Asian countries after changing their sporting nationality.
They have won important medals at the Asian Games.
In one race, Bahrain’s Birhanu Balew beat India’s Gulveer Singh in the final seconds.
This makes it harder for athletes born in Asian countries to win medals.
Countries such as Bahrain and Qatar have benefited greatly from recruiting African runners.
Some athletes say the transfers give them better training, homes and financial support.
Critics say the system can become a market where wealthy countries buy athletic talent.
World Athletics created waiting periods and other rules to make transfers more controlled.
African-born athletes representing Asian countries won medals in the women’s 10,000m, men’s 10,000m and mixed 4x400m relay.
Ethiopia-born Bahrain runner Birhanu Balew defeated India’s Gulveer Singh by 1.87 seconds in the men’s 10,000m.
African-born athletes’ Asian Games medals increased from 14 in 2014 to 16 in 2018, while more countries began using transferred athletes.
Bahrain’s athletics medal haul rose from nine in 2010 to 26 in 2018, including 12 gold medals.
World Athletics introduced stricter transfer rules after freezing nationality transfers from February 2017 to July 2018.
- Who
- African-born athletes representing Asian countries, including Bahrain’s Birhanu Balew and India’s Gulveer Singh.
- What
- Nationality transfers have changed Asian Games athletics medal races and reduced opportunities for some native Asian athletes.
- When
- The article discusses trends from the 1992 Olympics through the 2026 Asian Games, including major transfer activity from 2012 to 2016.
- Where
- The competition is discussed in the Asian Games and in athletics programs involving countries such as Bahrain, Qatar, Kazakhstan and India.
- Why
- Wealthier countries recruited African athletes to strengthen their teams, while athletes received improved support and opportunities to compete.
Supporters of Athlete Transfers
Critics of Athlete Transfers
Competition and opportunity
Supporters of Athlete Transfers
Transfers allow athletes to receive better lifestyles, training support and opportunities to compete at the highest level, while strengthening countries’ teams.
Critics of Athlete Transfers
Recruiting athletes can deny medals and opportunities to native Asian competitors, particularly in distance and middle-distance events.
Fairness of recruitment
Supporters of Athlete Transfers
Athletes may choose a new sporting nationality because it provides financial security and support for their families.
Critics of Athlete Transfers
Critics, including Hamad Kalkaba Malboum, describe bulk recruitment as a market for African talent dominated by the highest bidder.
Regulation
Supporters of Athlete Transfers
Nationality changes can remain part of international sport if they follow clear eligibility requirements.
Critics of Athlete Transfers
The transfer freeze and later restrictions reflect concerns about large-scale, financially driven recruitment; World Athletics also blocked a proposed group transfer to Türkiye.
- Medals by African-born athletes
- Their Asian Games medal count rose from 14 in 2014 to 16 in 2018.
- Men’s 10,000m result
- Bahrain’s Birhanu Balew won gold, while India’s Gulveer Singh won silver.
- Winning margin
- Balew finished 1.87 seconds ahead of Singh.
- Bahrain athletics medals
- Bahrain won nine athletics medals in 2010, 19 in 2014, 26 in 2018 and 16 in 2023.
- Transfer freeze
- World Athletics froze transfers of allegiance from February 2017 to July 2018.
- New eligibility rules
- Reforms included a three-year waiting period and an age limit of 20 for transfers.
- Blocked Turkish transfers
- World Athletics recently blocked a proposed transfer of 11 athletes to Türkiye, calling it a coordinated recruitment strategy.