Bahrain's Ruth Jebet receives Olympian’s welcome

Manama : Bahrain’s 3,000 metres Steeplechase gold medallist at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games in Brazil Ruth Jebet was honoured yesterday evening at Bahrain International Airport on her return to the Kingdom after winning the first-ever gold for Bahrain.

She was met by the Minister of Youth and Sports, Hisham Al Jowdar, Bahrain Olympic Committee general secretary Abdul Rahman Askar. Ruqaya Al Ghasra, board member of the Bahrain Olympic Committee, Bahrain Chefde Mission at the Rio Olympics, Yousuf Abdulqader, other sports officials and the media.

Jebet who is just 19 years old, stormed to victory at the Rio Olympics in eight minutes 59.75 seconds, which was the second fastest ever time over the distance set by Russia’s Gulnara Samitova-Galkina who clocked 8:58.81 at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Jebet who initially ran in (9:12.62) to win her qualifying heat at the Olympics, broke the world record over the distance on Saturday at a Paris Diamond League meeting in France. She ran more than six seconds faster than anyone else in a time of eight minutes 52.78 seconds.

She finished ahead of second placed Kenyan Hyvin Kiyeng (9:01.96) with American Emma Coburn (9:10.19) coming third.

After the race, Lord Sebastian Coe, chairman of the British Olympic Association,  congratulated Jebet on her new world record.

Jebet said, “I am so pleased to break the world record and run the way I did in France the other day and I’m working harder to improve my time. During the Olympics my focus was on winning a medal and when I had the chance around the 1,500 metres I went for it and almost broke the record in that race, I’m not sure if I can get any faster but I’ll try my best,” said Jebet who seemed to be totally overawed at the reception.

Bahrain’s 32-year old Eunice Kirwa who was a silver medalist in the Women’s Marathon was also at the homecoming. Eventhough she picked up silver behind Jemima Jelagat Sumgong of Kenya, she was very pleased at her performance. “It was a strong race with many top marathon runners involved and I knew my chance at a medal was around 6 kilometres before the finish. As potential challengers dropped off the pace, I knew my chance had come and knowing the course from previous experience, I managed to outpace Mare Dibaba of Ethiopia, but could not catch up to Jemima.”