Australian Olympic distance runners Genevieve Gregson and Jessica Stenson recently highlighted the challenges faced by clean athletes in light of the doping scandal surrounding Kenya’s Ruth Chepngetich, who tested positive for the diuretic Hydrochlorothiazide. Chepngetich’s extraordinary performance at the Chicago Marathon, where she broke the women’s marathon world record by nearly two minutes, raised suspicions among many, and her subsequent provisional suspension has been seen as a vindication of these concerns.
Gregson expressed a deep awareness of the impact of doping in their sport, revealing that she often has to “turn a blind eye” to certain results that seem unrealistic. She lamented how drug cheats have cost clean competitors, like herself and her peers, potential prize money, accolades, and sponsorship deals. “The benchmark is getting harder due to tainted performances,” she said, highlighting the pressure clean athletes face to push their limits in an increasingly competitive environment where standards continue to rise.
Stenson echoed Gregson’s sentiments, pointing out the difficulty of maintaining focus on personal performance amidst the backdrop of heightened expectations and inflated standards driven by doping. She noted that the Olympic qualifying times have become substantially more challenging over the years, citing the drastic reductions in marathon thresholds since the Rio 2016 Games.
The pair stressed the serious ramifications of performance-enhancing drug use and the new era of competition, which now also includes the influence of advanced running shoes. While some argue that these shoes benefit athletes, the issue of drug-induced times remains a central concern for the integrity of the sport.
Amidst the turmoil, both athletes shared encouraging messages for aspiring runners, emphasising the possibility of success through clean practices. Gregson affirmed that numerous exceptional performances are legitimate, urging young athletes not to lose hope due to the actions of a few. Stenson agreed, focusing on the positive aspects of the sport and the opportunities available, irrespective of the challenges posed by doping issues.
Overall, the doping crisis within athletics, exemplified by Chepngetich’s case, underscores the ongoing struggle for clean athletes who continue to compete with integrity while striving for recognition in their field.