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Paris Olympics: Truth about circumstances that led to steeplechase champion Winfred Yavi ditching Kenya for Bahrain
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Reading Time: 3min | Wed. 07.08.24. | 14:34
The now 24-year-old switched her allegiance when she was 15 years old, and nine years later, she has repaid the faith of her adopted country.
Kenyan-born Bahraini athlete Winfred Yavi won the women's Olympic 3000m steeplechase on Tuesday evening.
Yavi, who claimed the world title last year in Budapest, became the new Olympic champion by setting a new Olympic record of 8:52.76.
The defending champion from Tokyo three years ago, Peruth Chemutai from Uganda, won silver, while Kenya settled for third courtesy of teen sensation Faith Cherotich.
Kenyans online expressed both dismay and amusement after Yavi, a Kenyan by birth, won the women's 3000m steeplechase gold, sparking a debate among netizens.
The majority of Kenyans online appeared content with the 24-year-old's decision to switch her allegiance to Bahrain, praising her for the tough decision.
Some, however, called her a sell-out, while drawing comparisons to Harambee Stars striker Dennis Oliech, who had the chance to ditch Kenya for Qatar but turned down the offer.
While many were delighted for Yavi, some speculated on why she chose to represent Bahrain, with some claiming she switched allegiances after being asked to pay a certain amount of money for selection in Team Kenya.
However, athletes switching their allegiances to represent other nations is not new as Kenya has been a hotbed for middle- and long-distance running, not everyone gets the opportunity to fly the country's flag at major competitions.
Why Yavi chose Bahrain
The reigning world champion explained that she had been trying to represent Kenya for a long time but did not get the chance, so she opted for Bahrain.
She revealed that she had been attending trials and trying her luck, but the stiff competition in Team Kenya hindered her chances.
“I didn’t get the chance to represent Kenya. I used to go to trials, and I wasn’t always able to qualify. When I got the chance to compete for Bahrain, I took it, but I always wanted to run for my country,” Yavi explained in a past interview.
The Diamond League Trophy winner shared that the competition was tough and qualifying was an uphill task for her.
She recalled that in 2016, she missed out on the chance to compete at the Youth Games for Kenya after finishing third, as only two athletes in each category were selected.
“The competition was stiff, and in Kenya, we always have a lot of athletes. In most cases, only two athletes are selected for major events. I was ready to represent Team Kenya, but I always missed out most of the time," she expounded.
She continued; "I remember in 2016 when I missed out—it pained me a lot. I had trained very well and was hopeful of a better outcome, but the results did not come. That’s how I got the chance to run for Bahrain."
The now 24-year-old switched her allegiance when she was 15 years old, and nine years later, she has repaid the faith of her adopted country.
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