Masai raises 2008 Olympic medal haul

From left; Vivian Cheruiyot leads, Hyvin Kiyeng, Linet Masai and Maragret Chelimo during the Kenya Police Service Cross Country Championships for the fourth consecutive year at Ngong Race in Nairobi on Janary 6, 2016. [PHOTO:DENNIS OKEYO/STANDARD]

It’s strange how a misfortune can turn into a fortune. She left the iconic Birds Nest Stadium in Beijing nine years ago crestfallen – after finishing outside the medal bracket at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

But the shy-looking track assassin Linet Masai finally got a reprieve after International Olympic Committee stripped Turkey’s Elvan Abeylegesse of the 10,000m silver medal won at the Beijing outing, making then fourth-placed Masai land a bronze medal.