)
Winfred Yavi, the new 3000m Bahrani steeplechase Olympic champion, may have Kenyan blood flowing through her veins, but the 2016 champion Jebet also opted to snub Kenya to represent that very nation.
Winfred Mutile Yavi’s recent victory in the 3000m steeplechase at the Paris 2024 Olympics has reignited conversations about the legacy of Kenyan-born athletes who choose to compete for other nations.
Yavi, who dominated the World Athletics Championships in Budapest and the Diamond League in 2023, brought home Bahrain’s second Olympic gold medal after a stellar performance in Paris.
Her triumph on the international stage has been met with a mix of admiration and reflection, particularly in Kenya, the country of her birth.
)
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.
Yavi’s journey mirrors that of another Kenyan-born athlete, Ruth Jebet, who similarly made headlines for her decision to represent Bahrain at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Jebet, who was born and raised in Kenya, became the first Bahraini athlete to win an Olympic gold medal when she claimed victory in the 3000m steeplechase, finishing with a time of 8:59.75.
This made her the second-fastest woman of all time in the event. Her victory came at the expense of Kenya’s Hyvin Jepkemoi, who took silver, and American Emma Coburn, who captured the bronze.
Jebet’s win in Rio was historic, but it wasn’t the end of her remarkable 2016 season. Just a few weeks later, at the Paris stage of the IAAF Diamond League, she shattered the world record in the 3000m steeplechase, running 8:52.78—over six seconds faster than the previous record. This performance solidified her status as one of the greatest steeplechasers of all time.
)
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.
However, Jebet’s career took a dramatic turn in 2018 when she became embroiled in a doping scandal. She tested positive for r-EPO, a performance-enhancing drug, and despite her claims
that she had not taken it intentionally, she was handed a four-year suspension in March 2020. The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) ruled that all of her results from December 2017 to February 2018 would be annulled, though her Olympic gold medal and world record performance from 2016 remained unaffected.
Jebet’s decision to switch allegiance to Bahrain at a young age—while she was still in high school in 2013—sparked controversy in Kenya.
Many Kenyans felt betrayed, accusing her of disloyalty for choosing financial incentives over national pride. It was reported that Jebet received $500,000 USD (approximately 52 million Kenyan shillings) from the Bahraini government for her Olympic victory, a stark contrast to the 1 million Kenyan shillings (around $10,000 USD) received by Kenyan athletes like two-time 800m Olympic champion David Rudisha.
)
20:30 - 06.08.2024
Beatrice Chebet delves into strategy she used to beat Faith Kipyegon to Olympic 5000m gold, reveals how Sifan Hassan inspires her
Chebet has now revealed the tactics she applied in training to beat her compatriot Faith Kipyegon and Sifan Hassan to the Olympic 5000m gold medal.
While Jebet’s move was viewed with skepticism and disapproval, Yavi’s case has been met with more understanding and empathy.
Unlike Jebet, who switched nationality early in her career, Yavi made the decision after multiple unsuccessful attempts to make the Kenyan national team.
She has spoken openly about her struggles to qualify for the Kenyan team and her decision to represent Bahrain as a necessary step to realize her dreams on the international stage.
“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,” Yavi said after her victory in Paris, dedicating her gold medal to Kenya and acknowledging her roots despite representing Bahrain.
The contrasting receptions of Yavi and Jebet’s choices highlight the complex emotions and nationalistic sentiments tied to the migration of athletes.
While both have found success representing Bahrain, their journeys reflect different paths and motivations—one marked by a pragmatic decision to seize opportunities, and the other by a career overshadowed by controversy.
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)