{"id":8267,"date":"2023-04-19T21:32:57","date_gmt":"2023-04-19T21:32:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kede.com.br\/sport\/boston-marathon-kenyas-mary-ngugi-hits-out-at-greedy-drug-cheats\/"},"modified":"2023-04-19T21:32:58","modified_gmt":"2023-04-19T21:32:58","slug":"boston-marathon-kenyas-mary-ngugi-hits-out-at-greedy-drug-cheats","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kede.com.br\/sport\/boston-marathon-kenyas-mary-ngugi-hits-out-at-greedy-drug-cheats\/","title":{"rendered":"Boston Marathon: Kenya’s Mary Ngugi hits out at ‘greedy’ drug cheats"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Mary Ngugi was promoted to second at the 2021 Boston Marathon after compatriot Diana Kipyokei, initially crowned as winner, was retrospectively disqualified and banned for six years<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Kenya’s Mary Ngugi says athletes who dope are “greedy” and need to realise that “money isn’t everything”.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ngugi’s best performance in Boston came in 2021 when she initially finished third before being promoted to second place after winner Diana Kipyokei, a fellow Kenyan, was <\/span>retrospectively disqualified and banned for six years for using banned substances.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

“That race meant so much because I’d come from a hard year. I had lost my contract,” Ngugi told BBC Sport Africa.<\/span><\/p>\n

“I was so happy to finish third, so imagine what it would have meant for me to finish second. That is something that I can never get back.”<\/span><\/p>\n

This year’s race – which marked 10 years since <\/span>a terrorist attack claimed the lives of three spectators<\/span><\/a> and injured hundreds more – saw winners of the men’s and women’s events rewarded with prize money of $150,000. But the drop-off after that was relatively steep, with the runner-up earning $75,000, third place $40,000 and $25,000 for fourth.<\/span><\/p>\n

So perhaps it is no surprise that Ngugi believes the events of 2021 also cost her financially.<\/span><\/p>\n

“Had I been second, my contract would have been different coming to Boston for the next appearance fee. Everything would have been different.<\/span><\/p>\n

“This is like stealing.”<\/span><\/p>\n

\"From<\/span><\/span>
Mary Ngugi (second from right) has won two gold medals as part of Team Kenya at the World Half Marathon Championships (2014 & 2016)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Athletes need ‘integrity and respect’<\/h3>\n

Kenyan athletics is currently fighting an ongoing battle to restore its damaged reputation when it comes to doping.<\/span><\/p>\n

Last year, <\/span>the country narrowly avoided a ban from international competition.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Ngugi believes greed and a desire for quick results is driving the problem.<\/span><\/p>\n

“They’re being taught money is everything,” said the 34-year-old, who won World Half Marathon Championship gold medals in 2014 and 2016.<\/span><\/p>\n

“Money is not everything. It’s also about your career when you retire, when you’re 70 years old.<\/span><\/p>\n

“What will you tell your children? I would rather be third, fourth, fifth, but I know this is me. I didn’t cheat or steal from anyone.<\/span><\/p>\n