Paris, France, August 6, 2024: Bahrain’s Wilfred Yavi ran the race of her life to win the women’s 3000m steeplechase in an Olympic record time at the Stade de France on Tuesday evening.
The 2023 world champion moved into position on the last lap and sprinted away on the home straight to win the race in 8 minutes, 52.76 seconds and eclipse the previous mark by more than six seconds.
The old record was 8:58.81 and was set by Russia’s Gulnara Samitova-Galkina at the Beijing Olympics in 2008.
Yavi was uncontrollable after the race, letting out a series of shrieks as she ran back down the track to celebrate with her support team.
Uganda’s Peruth Chemutai was second in a national record 8:53.34 and Kenya’s Olympic rookie Faith Cherotich was a distant third in a personal best of 8:55.15.
Yavi’s reputation has been growing quickly since she finished 10th in this race at Tokyo 2020. The Kenya-born runner notched a steeplechase/1500m double at the Hangzhou Asian Games last year, adding to her steeplechase gold from Jakarta 2018.
Yavi, 24, became Bahrain’s first medallist at the Paris Games and said: "I'm feeling pleased with the performance, with the Olympic record and becoming Olympic champion. I'm feeling happy. This is like a dream come true. It's something special.”
She said the gold medal meant a lot to her and also to the country.
"I executed the race plan I had. I am happy the plan has worked," she added.
The Embassy of the Kingdom of Bahrain, London was quick to congratulate the new Olympic champion.
“Bahrain wins gold in the 3000m steeplechase at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Heartfelt congratulations to @winfred_yavi_oly on her remarkable victory, setting a new Olympic record with a time of 8:52.76,” the greeting read.