Kenyan-born Olympic record holder Winfred Yavi opened up about the reasons behind her decision to represent Bahrain instead of her native Kenya, revealing a journey marked by missed opportunities and difficult choices.
Yavi, who clinched victory in the women’s 3000m steeplechase at the Zurich Diamond League in September 2023, shared her story of perseverance and determination. The 24-year-old athlete crossed the finish line with her arms outstretched in celebration, setting a new Olympic record of 8:52.76 before breaking into dance moves, a moment that marked the pinnacle of her career.
Despite her recent success, Yavi’s path to international acclaim was far from straightforward. In the interview, she explained that her initial dream was to represent Kenya, but several attempts to make the national team were unsuccessful due to intense competition.
“I used to go to the Kenya team trials, and I didn’t qualify… It was my first priority; I was ready to represent my country,” Yavi told Mungai Eve. “The competition was stiff. You know that in Kenya, we have a lot of athletes, and to get that chance, you need to be among the top. I was totally ready, but I never got a chance.”
Yavi recalled a pivotal moment in 2016 when she placed third in the trials for a youth competition, only to miss out on selection as only the top two athletes were chosen to represent Kenya. Despite her hard work and dedication, the opportunity to wear Kenya’s colors on the world stage continued to elude her.
It was at this point that a Kenyan contact in the sports sector connected Yavi with an opportunity to represent Bahrain. After careful consideration, and with the support of her parents and coach, she made the decision to switch allegiances.
“I had done a lot of training; I had worked hard. That’s how I got the chance to go to Bahrain, and I took it,” she said.
Yavi also revealed that while the decision to change nationality brought significant negativity, especially from friends, she remained resolute. “It brought a lot of negativity. I was being asked how sure I was that I would go and run well. It was complicated. Everyone had something to say,” she noted. “Others said I shouldn’t go there, that I would get hurt. But my parents and I talked it through with the coach and other people, and we came to a decision together.”
Today, Yavi holds Bahraini nationality and represents the Asian country in international athletics. However, she remains connected to her roots, frequently returning to Kenya to train in the country’s favorable weather conditions.
Despite the challenges, Yavi’s decision to represent Bahrain has paid off, solidifying her status as a world-class athlete and securing her place in the history books with her record-breaking performance.