Kenyan Bahraini athlete Winfred Yavi says representing Kenya in athletics was her priority.
Yavi said she entered several trials but didn’t manage to make it due to the competition.
“I used to go to the Kenya team trials, and I didn’t qualify… It was my priority; I was ready to represent my country,”
“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 two or number four, you miss out. I was ready, but I never got a chance.” Yavi said.
The 3000 metres women’s steeplechase Olympic champion said in 2016, she finished third during a trial for an international youth competition.
Her journey to represent Bahrain was through a connection she got from a Kenyan.
“My parents also agreed, and the coach also agreed and took me there,” Yavi added.
Kenyan-Bahraini athlete Winfred Yavi has arrived in Kenya after gold medal success in the Paris Olympics.
Yavi won the medal in 3000 metres women’s steeplechase. An emotional Yavi presented her gold medal to her proud parents.
The athlete, who could not control her tears, was hugged by her parents as they gave her flowers on her arrival.
Early this week, Winfred Yavi expressed her joy as she presented her gold medal to the King of Bahrain, King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.
