Kenyan runner Naomi Korir overcame a difficult childhood medical condition and three surgeries to reach the final of the mile at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
Korir, who was born with a congenital fistula, suffered continuous urine leakage because of an abnormal opening between her bladder and vagina. The condition made taking part in athletics difficult, despite her love for sport.
As reported by BBC Sport on Friday, Korir was quoted as saying “I played most of the sports activities: football, netball, athletics, even rugby,” Korir said. “But it was difficult because of the training, and the urine is flowing continuously.”
She initially reduced her running to shorter distances and began competing in the 100m hurdles. Despite the challenges and the social isolation caused by her condition, she continued to participate in sport.
Korir underwent two operations that failed to solve the problem. In August 2013, when she was 13, she had a third operation at Gynocare Hospital in Eldoret. The surgery finally brought her relief and gave her a chance to pursue athletics without the same difficulties.
Gynocare director Caroline Mabeya said women living with fistula often face stigma and isolation, as well as the physical effects of the condition.
“They are ostracised in society. That’s the psychological torture that they face with the fistula,” Mabeya said.
Following her successful treatment, Korir continued developing as a middle-distance runner. Her determination eventually took her to the Commonwealth Games, where she finished fifth in the mile final.
For Korir, reaching the Commonwealth Games represented a remarkable turnaround from the childhood years when her medical condition threatened to end her hopes of becoming a runner.