Kenyan-Bahraini athletics star Winfred Yavi has been welcomed back to Bahrain in a colourful ceremony.
Yavi and Bahrain Olympic athletes were praised for flying the country’s flag in Paris and bringing success to the Gulf kingdom.
The ceremony to honour the athletes was presided by Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Bahrain.
Prince Salaman bin Hamad congratulated the winners on their medals.
He emphasised that the Royal directives and visions for the Kingdom’s sports sector motivate Bahrain’s athletes.
The Prince also commended Winfred Yavi and Team Bahrain’s passion for achievements and limitless ambition.
He said this has enhanced the Kingdom’s standing in sports.
Winfred Yavi of Bahrain emerged as the winner of the women’s 3000-meter steeplechase event at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Her gold medal-winning performance of 8:52.76 not only put her on top of the podium but also set a new Olympic record.
This surpassed the previous mark set by Kenya’s Beatrice Chepkoech at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Yavi took the lead early in the race and kept a consistent pace throughout.
Uganda’s Olympic champion, Peruth Chemutai, battled Yavi hard in the final lap.
Peruth settled for silver with a national record time of 8:53.34.
Yavi will receive Ksh 53 million as compensation for her gold medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics, as is customary in Bahrain.
Her success in Paris adds to her long list of accomplishments.
Yavi won the world championship title in the same race earlier this year.
This firmly established her as one of the world’s best steeplechasers.