Kenyan-born athlete Norah Jeruto is set to pocket millions of shillings after winning a gold medal for Kazakhstan at the World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon, USA on Wednesday.
Jeruto clocked 8:53.02, the third-fastest time in history and a championship record, to clinch gold in the women’s 3,000m steeplechase ahead of Ethiopian duo Werkuha Getachew and Mekides Abebe, who claimed silver and bronze in 8:54.61 and 8:56.08 respectively.
Nation reports that the Kazakhstan government will pay Jeruto €250,000 (about Sh30.5 million) through its award scheme for excelling athletes.
The amount is roughly 30 times the Sh1 million a Kenyan athlete receives from the government for winning a gold medal in global competitions such as the world championships and Olympics.
“It has been a journey of hard work and Jeruto winning a gold medal the first one in history for Kazakhstan is something I’m proud of,” Jeruto’s coach Kenneth Rotich said.
Jeruto was the second Kenyan-born athlete to win a medal for another country in the ongoing World Championships after Lonah Chemtai Salpeter clinched bronze for Israel in the women’s marathon on Tuesday.
The 26-year-old was among four Kenyan-born athletes who switched their international allegiance to Kazakhstan early this year. She was granted Kazakhstan citizenship alongside Daisy Jepkemei, Shadrack Koech, and Caroline Chepkoech after the World Athletics approved their request to represent the Central Asian country at the international level.
Rule 1.4.2 of the World Athletics Charter states that athletes who gain new citizenship or wish to change their status can do so if three years have passed since they competed for their country.
Other Kenya-born athletes who have represented their adopted countries in Eugene include Americans Jonah Koech (800m), Elkanah Kibet (marathon), Hillary Bor, and Benard Keter (3,000m steeplechase), and Belgium’s Isaac Kimeli (10,000m).
30M. It is worth it. Go…
30M. It is worth it. Go girl.
He looks quite happy. I wish…
He looks quite happy. I wish him well in his running career.
“She”, “her”. Mind your…
“She”, “her”. Mind your pronouns when referring to this Kenyan woman.
You are invited for the…
You are invited for the celebration . Wear you best dress!
One to celebrate the win…
One to celebrate the win. Wear your best dress!
☝????! She!
☝????! She!
@Wellington..you’re soo…
@Wellington..you’re soo petty!!..
Majority of the elites…
Majority of the elites athletes don’t represent the country, thy participate in private races with their agencies& thy make more monies….The Government doesn’t care about them…Poor facilities, High taxation on their wins, Poor overseas travels and accommodations(Rio Brazil scandals)…
@ Simon, you are right.Top…
@ Simon, you are right.Top Kenyan athletes like Kipyegon, Cheruiyot,Obiri make their money in the diamond league circuit,and other international events like cross country,and,road running,otherwise there would be nothing stopping them from switching their allegiance for cash…. alot of cash than what Kenya can offer.
Well, well, I guess before…
Well, well, I guess before the country,one comes first.I wonder if this revelation of wealth will set off an avalanche of allegiance switching…
I would like to know what Kenyan athletes who have been running and practicing with her think.Would they want to be in her position,and given a chance would they sell they passports as well? Is being patriotic enough to keep athletes put?
Like I said elsewhere my only concern is that buying of ready- made-athletes, robs the local athletes the ability to develop their potential.It also questions the true spirit of sportsmanship,if nations can just sit and buy athletes from other countries.Let’s be honest here.Do Kazakhstan citizens really think that she is” one of them”? She does not know the language,let alone the national anthem.Never lived there.Who is fooling who?I guess it does not matter.
Kenya might have lost agold,but look at the bright side.That 30 million will probably be invested in Kenya,or at least elevate the standard of living for her Kenya family.It’s a WIN- WIN.
Sh30.5 million instant plus…
Sh30.5 million instant plus the endorsements that will come with the win.vs sh1 million flat.
Common sense dictates that make the best of every situation no matter what. She stands better chances economically than in Kenya.
Go girl. Until Kenya learns…
Go girl. Until Kenya learns to appreciate its talented