They cheered Francine Niyonsaba at the airport.
Then the 28-year-old got into a black off-road vehicle, the runner from Burundi was driven through the streets of Bujumbura, from the sunroof she waved to her fans, thousands had come.
After her world record in 2000 meters and her triumph in the Diamond League, Niyonsaba was received like a heroine.
Controversial set of rules
“It was a long journey,” said Niyonsaba: “I'm glad I never gave up.” Because: Since May 2019, Niyonsaba has not been allowed to start more than 800 meters internationally Year later World Cup second. Like Caster Semenya from South Africa, Niyonsaba has an elevated, natural testosterone level.
According to a controversial rule of the World Athletics Association, she is - like Semenya, Olympic champion of London and Rio over the 800 meters - therefore no longer allowed to compete in major championships in races from 400 meters to the mile - unless she lowers her testosterone level through medication or surgery.
She refuses.
Niyonsaba, who trains in Kenya, managed to switch to the longer distances much better than Semenya.
She made it to the Tokyo Olympics, finishing fifth over 10,000 meters.
In Zagreb, Niyonsaba recently ran 5: 21.56 seconds over 2000 meters, a woman has never been faster over this rarely run route.
"I have not had an easy life since I was born," said Niyonsaba, but she loves challenges and faces them "with great determination and perseverance."
And for that she was now celebrated like a heroine.