In 1990, Yvonne won 3,000m silver at the Commonwealth Games in Auckland, New Zealand, following it up four years later with gold in the 10,000m in Victoria, Canada. This victory completed her set of Commonwealth medals.
She achieved the same treble at the European Championships, claiming bronze, silver and gold medals in both indoor and outdoor 3,000m events between 1986 and 1990. She also clinched 3,000m gold at the 1993 World Indoor Championships, and twice at the World Cup, in Barcelona (1989) and London (1994).
Yvonne was awarded the MBE in 1990 and was voted BBC Scotland Sports Personality of the Year in 1994.