Athletics Kenya has come out to defend 3-time Chicago Marathon champion Ruth Chepngetich from unwarranted scrutiny amidst the country’s doping crisis.
Chepngetich broke the women’s world marathon record on Sunday after clocking 2:09:56 to take almost two minutes from the previous record of 2:11:53 set by Ethiopian Tigst Assefa at the 2023 Berlin Marathon.
In the process, she also became the first woman to finish a marathon in under 2 hours and 10 minutes as she chopped more than four minutes from her personal best.
In a statement released on Wednesday, Athletics Kenya urged the media and the global community to respect Ruth’s achievement and to protect her from harassment.
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“We urge the media and the global community to give Ruth the respect she deserves and protect athletes from harassment. Let her celebrate this hard-earned victory, and let us acknowledge the years of hard work and discipline that have brought her to this moment,” the statement read.
“Unfounded doubts and unfair treatment have no place in this proud moment for Kenya and for Ruth.”
They further stated that doubting Chepcngetich is not fair, as such allegations undermine not only her achievement, but also the integrity of sports.
“In any case, many world records were broken this year, and to single her out is utterly unfair. It is therefore disheartening to witness some sections of the media casting unwarranted doubt on her achievements.
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Such aspersions, made without due process, undermine not only her efforts but the integrity of the sport.”
They affirmed that Chepngetich underwent all doping tests, both pre-race and post-race, and that her record will soon be ratified since she is clean.
“It is important to note that Ruth, like all athletes in major competitions, underwent multiple anti-doping tests, both pre-race and post-race.
These are standard procedures in events of this magnitude, and only after all results are verified will her record be officially ratified,” the statement added.
Ruth Chepngetich faces scrutiny
This comes amid allegations by European media and personalities that Kenya is facing a doping crisis.
During a press conference after the race, LetsRun journalist Robert Johnson raised concerns about Chepngetich’s record-breaking time.
He asked Ruth whether people would trust her achievement or doubt it given the recent increase in doping cases in the country.
“Ruth, unfortunately, in recent years, there have been a number of doping positives in Kenya. What would you say to someone who sees 2:09:56 and thinks, ‘This is too good to be true. I have questions about it’?
Some people may think that the time is too fast and you must be doping. What would you say to them?” Johnson asked.
However, Chepngetich responded simply, dismissing the allegations by saying that people will always talk.
“I don’t have any idea. You know people must talk, but…people must talk, so I don’t know,” she responded.