Golden Ruth Jebet: Why I dumped Kenya for Bahrain
Kenyan-born Ruth Jebet of Bahrain (right), the 2016 Olympic Games 3,000m steeplechase gold medallist, with her father Joel Sitienei when she arrived at Eldoret International Airport from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on August 19, 2016. PHOTO | JARED NYATAYA |
What you need to know:
- Family and friends had thronged the airport to give her an arousing welcome.
- No government official was present.
- Jebet obliterated the field to win Bahrain its first ever Olympics gold in 9:12:62 beating Kenya’s Hyvin Kiyeng to silver.
Kenyan-born Rio Olympics 3,000m steeplechase gold medallist Ruth Jebet has said opted to run for Bahrain after being promised a fully paid scholarship to study for a degree in animal health in that country.
Speaking at Eldoret International Airport upon her arrival from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Friday, Jebet said she changed her allegiance to the Middle East country after being promised a number of goodies.
The 19-year-old, who is also a former World Junior steeplechase champion, flew to Eldoret to a heroine’s welcome from family members and friends.
“The race was tough but we had talked and agreed with (Hyvin) Kiyeng that we must win the race. But she told me she was unwell,” said the soft-spoken Jebet.
Jebet obliterated the field to win Bahrain its first ever Olympics gold in 9:12:62, beating Kenya’s Kiyeng to silver in the race on Monday.
Kenyan-born Bahraini Ruth Jebet sips mursik after arriving at Eldoret International Airport from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on August 19, 2016. She won a gold medal in the 3000m steeplechase. PHOTO | JARED NYATAYA| NATION MEDIA GROUP
The teenager flew from Brazil to join her family and friends in celebrating the victory. She is scheduled to fly out on Saturday to Bahrain, where a major celebration in her honour is expected.
Bahrain's Ruth Jebet celebrates after she won the Rio Olympic Games women's 3000m steeplechase final at the Olympic Stadium in Rio de Janeiro on August 15, 2016. PHOTO | JEWEL SAMAD | AFP
“I am happy to be back to home. I came to see my parents and I will be going back tomorrow,” said Jebet, who trains in Kapsabet, Nandi County.
Asked whether she would consider running for Kenya in future, she said: “Not now. No plans but it depends...”
Jebet’s father, Joel Sitienei, said he was happy with her decision to run for the foreign country.
“Since she went to Bahrain, she has built me a house, bought me two dairy cows and land. I am happy I no longer live in a thatched house,” he said.
Kenya's Hyvin Kiyeng Jepkemoi (silver), Kenya-born Bahraini Ruth Jebet (gold) and USA's Emma Coburn (bronze) pose during the podium ceremony for the women's 3000m steeplechase final during the athletics event at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium in Rio de Janeiro on August 15, 2016. PHOTO | AFP
Kenyans watched in shock as the teenager produced a stunning performance to win gold for her adopted country on Monday, leaving Kiyeng struggling for silver.
Kenyans took to social media afterwards to express their views after it emerged that Jebet would be paid Sh52 million by the Bahraini government for her feat.
Barhain's Ruth Jebet competes in the women's 3,000m steeplechase final in the athletics event during the 2016 Summer Olympics at the Olympic Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on August 15, 2016. PHOTO | JOHANNES EISELE | AFP
Family and friends had thronged the airport to give her a rousing welcome. No government official was present.
