Apologize? For what?'- Journalist who asked Ruth Chepng'et

Kenyans, including Uasin Gishu MP Gladys Boss Shollei, criticized journalist Robert Johnson for questioning Ruth Chepng’etich’s world record, with Shollei demanding an apology in parliament, while Johnson defended his inquiry as part of his job.

Kenyans were certainly irked by the question from Letsrun.com journalist Robert Johnson concerning Ruth Chepng’etich’s world record with Deputy Speaker of the Kenya National Assembly and woman representative for Uasin Gishu County Gladys Boss Shollei tabling the matter in parliament.

Honourable Boss Shollei demanded an apology from Robert Johnson for undermining Ruth Chepng’etich’s exploits, noting that she is a consistent athlete who has always worked hard and deserves the feat she achieved on Sunday.

Ruth Chepng’etich became the first woman to run under 2:10 in a marathon, clocking a new world record time of 2:09:56 to cross the finish line first at the Chicago Marathon. Her feat has called for criticism from some marathon running enthusiasts and journalists, with others believing in her abilities and lauding her for a good job done.

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“Honorable Speaker, I urge the Cabinet Secretary for Sports; Athletics Kenya and the Kenyan Anti-Doping Agency to stand up for our athletes and demand an immediate and unequivocal apology from Robert Johnson and others who have shamed our athletes,” Hon. Gladys Boss Shollei said in parliament on Wednesday.

However, Robert Johnson is not asking for forgiveness from either Ruth Chepng’etich or the whole Kenyan fraternity as he explained the reasons behind his question.

“In recent years there have been a number of doping positives in Kenya. What would you say if someone, when they see 2:09:56, they said, ‘This is too good to be true, I have questions about it’? Some people might think that the time is too fast and that you might be doping, what would you say?” Robert Johnson asked.

In his defence, Robert Johnson noted that since its establishment Letsrun.com has always been keen on doping and by asking Ruth Chepng’etich that question, he was just doing his job.

“And let me re-state what I expressed yesterday; We have been very consistent since day 1 at LetsRun in regards to doping. Since the year 2000, we have asked the doping questions that need to be asked (and let the message boarders discuss it as well) whether you are white (Galen Rupp, Salazar, etc), black (Regina Jacobs, Justin Gatlin, etc.), male, female, American or Kenyan,” he said.

“Do you remember what I did in 2002? I asked American Regina Jacobs much more pointed questions. Also in the same year, when I started coaching at Cornell, a freshman on the team from Oregon came up to me at the first practice and said, “Alberto Salazar does not like you guys.” When I asked why, I was told it was because people talked about doping at Athletics West on the message board,” he added.

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He noted that he did not accuse Ruth Chepng’etich of doping and noted that he ‘simply asked her what she would say to those who think her performance is too good to be true’, giving her a chance to respond to the naysayers.

“Apologize? For what? I (Robert Johnson) didn’t accuse her of doping. I asked her what she would say to those who think her performance is too good to be true and proactively gave her the opportunity to get ahead of the cynics,” he shared on X.