Vivian Jemutai, who adopted the name Yasemin Can, transitioned from competing for Kenya to representing Turkey on March 13, 2016. The long-distance runner has since established herself as a force in continental athletics, specializing in the 5000 metres and 10,000 metres while setting multiple national records for her adopted country during a career spanning several major international championships.
Early Career and Turkish Eligibility
Born on December 11, 1996, in Kenya, the athlete initially competed for her home nation. Following her eligibility shift in early 2016, she began representing Turkey. Her qualification for international events accelerated quickly, including securing a quota spot for the 5000 metres by clocking 15:08.46 at the Turkish Indoor Championships in Istanbul. She further demonstrated her range in Mersin, where a performance of 31:30.58 in the 10,000 metres earned her another Olympic quota spot and a new European under-23 record.
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The 2016 European Athletics Championships in Amsterdam served as a breakthrough for Can, where she secured gold in the 10,000 metres with a time of 31:12.86. This result improved her own European U23 record by 18 seconds. She followed this by winning the 5000 metres gold at the same meet. She later maintained this high level of competition, returning to the top of the podium in the 10,000 metres at the 2022 European Athletics Championships in Munich with a time of 30:32.57.
National and Indoor Records
Can holds several national marks for Turkey. She is the current Turkish record holder for the half marathon, a distance she completed in 1:06:20 in Gdynia in 2020. Indoors, she has set national standards in both the 3000 metres and 5000 metres. Her versatility extends to national title competitions, having won the Turkish championship in the 10,000 metres in 2016 and the indoor 5000 metres during the same year.
Fast facts
- Born: 11 December 1996, Kenya
- Citizenship: Turkey, Kenya
- Specialization: 5000 metres, 10,000 metres
- Half marathon personal best: 1:06:20
- Primary languages: Turkish
- European 10,000 m titles: 2016, 2022
Questions readers ask
When did Yasemin Can start representing Turkey?
She became officially eligible to compete for Turkey on 13 March 2016.
Which major championship gold medals has she won?
She has won gold medals in the 5000 metres and 10,000 metres at the 2016 European Athletics Championships, the 10,000 metres at the 2022 European Athletics Championships, and the 5000 and 10,000 metres at the 2017 European Athletics U23 Championships.
