Kenyan-born Bahraini athlete Winfred Yavi was overcome with emotion as she reunited with her parents at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.

Yavi, who claimed gold for Bahrain in the 3000m steeplechase at the 2024 Paris Olympics, returned to Kenya for the first time since her victory.

The 24-year-old athlete, who switched allegiance to Bahrain in 2016, secured the Olympic gold medal with a record time of 8:52.76, narrowly beating Uganda’s Tokyo 2020 champion, Peruth Chemutai, who finished in 8:53.34.

Before her return to Nairobi, Yavi, along with 400m silver medalist Salwa Nasser, had the honor of meeting the Bahraini King, His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.

Reflecting on the meeting, Yavi expressed her gratitude on Instagram, saying, “It was an honor to showcase our Olympic Games experiences and medals. We are deeply grateful for His Majesty’s continued support.”

Yavi has hinted at a potential attempt to break the world record in the 3000m steeplechase, a record currently held by Beatrice Chepkoech, who set the mark at 8:44.32 in Monaco in 2018. Interestingly, the previous record was held by another Bahraini athlete, Ruth Jebet, who set it in Paris in 2016.

In an interview with Gulf Daily News, Yavi mentioned that breaking records is always a target for her, though she did not provide specifics on her plans. Yavi’s personal best of 8:50.66, set last year in the United States, is the second-fastest time ever recorded in the water and barrier race.

Yavi’s return to Kenya is a significant moment, not just for her personally but also for the country’s rich athletic heritage. Her achievements on the global stage continue to inspire many, and her future endeavors, including a possible record-breaking attempt, are highly anticipated.

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