Bahrain athlete Ruth Jebet brought
Eldoret International Airport to a standstill when she landed to give her parents the first opportunity to celebrate her gold medal.
Jebet
stormed into the women’s 3000m steeplechase throne in a record 8:03.28, at the Olympic games in
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil,
on Wednesday.
Family and friends lined up at the airport on Friday afternoon to welcome her with
ululation and song. A convoy of vehicles snaked its way to Kapsabet for the celebration.
The athlete who is also the Asian 3,000m steeplechase champion said she was delighted to have won gold for Bahrain.
But she said:
“I decided to come home to see my parents first before Ieaving for Bahrain tomorrow (Saturday),” she said.
Jebet's overjoyed father Joel Murei said she has improved their livelihood since going to Bahrain.
“I thank my daughter for the victory. She bought me land and cows, and built me a house. I shed tears when she won gold," he said.
The athlete who comes from Chepkemel village in Nandi county switched her allegiance to Kenya in 2012.
“I moved to Bahrain after I got a sponsorship to study. I am pursuing a degree in animal health and I am currently in fourth year,” she said.
Jebet said she knew her Kenyan competitor Hyvin Kiyeng, who is the world champion over the distance, would be a tough challenge.
But she revealed that Kiyeng earlier told her she was not feeling well.
“I talked to her a day before the race and she said she was not well. She said 'let's go assist each other', but I thought it was a joke since I did not know what she was planning," she said.
Jebet said she has her sights set on the 2017 world championships in London.
“I am going to train hard. I am not ready to leave the throne soon since I am focusing on the world title in London,” she added.