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The new 3000m steeplechase Olympic champion has dedicated her gold medal to Kenya despite actually competing for Bahrain.
Winfred Yavi, the newly crowned Olympic champion in the women's 3000m steeplechase, has dedicated her gold medal to Kenya, even though she now competes internationally for Bahrain.
Yavi's victory in Paris was not just a personal triumph but a testament to her roots and the country where her athletic journey began.
“I would love to tell my fellow Kenyans that this medal means a lot both for me and my team back there, and it is also a dream come true for me,” Yavi said after her victory.
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11:30 - 07.08.2024
The millions Kenyan-born Winfred Yavi will pocket after setting Olympic record in 3000m steeplechase
Kenyan-born Bahraini Winfred Yavi won Olympic gold in 3000m steeplechase setting a record and earning significant rewards from Bahrain.
“Even if I now compete for Bahrain, it is a dream come true for my people and also for me.”
Yavi stormed to victory in a fiercely contested race, clocking an impressive 8:52.76, setting a new Olympic record.
Her explosive final sprint saw her overtake Uganda's Peruth Chemutai, the defending champion, who had led the race until the last moments but ultimately settled for silver. Yavi's win adds the Olympic title to her already impressive resume, which includes the 2023 World Championship gold.
Reflecting on her performance, Yavi revealed the determination that drove her to the finish line. “Something was running through my mind when I was running. I never wanted to let it go because I wanted to become Olympic champion. I executed the speed I had in reserve and won it.”
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22:55 - 06.08.2024
Paris Olympics: Faith Cherotich claims steeplechase bronze for Kenya as Winfred Yavi strikes again
Youngster Faith Cherotich saved Kenya's blushes in the women's steeplechase when she claimed a bronze medal in a race won by Kenyan-born Bahraini Winfred Yavi.
Yavi’s journey to Olympic gold has not been straightforward. Despite her success, she initially faced stiff competition in Kenya, struggling to secure a spot on the national team.
“I used to go to the Kenya team trials, and I didn’t qualify... It was my first priority; I was ready to represent my country,” Yavi shared in an interview with Mungai Eve last year.
“The competition was stiff. You know that in Kenya we have a lot of athletes, and to get that chance, you should at least enter the Kenyan team. You can get into the Kenyan team, but you find that they take only two people; if you are number three or number four, you miss out. I was totally ready, but I never got a chance.”
Her perseverance, however, led her to a new opportunity. In 2016, after finishing third in trials for a youth competition, Yavi was not selected to represent Kenya.
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18:32 - 27.09.2023
ATHLETICS Why Kenyan-born Winfred Yavi does not regret switching her nationality to Bahrain
Winfred Yavi switched her nationality from Kenya to Bahrain in 2017 and she does not even have an ounce of regret.
Disappointed but not defeated, she was connected by a Kenyan in the sports sector to explore opportunities in Bahrain, where she ultimately found success. “I had done a lot of training; I had worked hard; that’s how I came and got the chance (to go to Bahrain), and I went,” she explained.
Yavi also credited her parents and coach for supporting her decision to switch allegiances, a move that has clearly paid off, culminating in her Olympic triumph in Paris. Despite her decision to compete for Bahrain, Yavi’s love for Kenya remains strong, as she proudly dedicates her Olympic success to her homeland.
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