Despite representing her adopted nation, Yavi trains in Ngong, Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi, and sometimes Kapsabet in Nandi County.
Born in Ukia in Makueni County, Yavi changed her allegiance at the age of 15 becoming eligible to compete for Bahrain in August 2016.
Kenyans must have been wondering how Athletics Kenya officials let Makueni-born Winfred Mutile Yavi compete for Bahrain as she jumped in joy after winning the gold in the 3,000m steeplechase final in an Olympic record time of 8 minutes 52.76 seconds on Tuesday night at the Stade de France.
She dethroned Uganda's Peruth Chemutai who had to settle for silver despite leading most of the race. Chemutai was in shock after Yavi, 24, stole the finish to add the Olympic title to last year's world championship in Budapest.
