Hellen Obiri slams international media for questioning Ruth Chepngetich's world record

Two-time Boston Marathon champion Hellen Obiri says the reaction and questions by international media following Ruth Chepngetich's world record feat in Chicago last month were "not good" and made her "feel bad."

Obiri, who is set to go for her second victory at the New York Marathon on Sunday 3 November, was alluding to the scrutiny that followed Chepngetich moments after she had become the first woman to run under 2:10 in a 2:09:56 display on 13 October.

Facing the press after the race, Chepngetich was found in a sticky situation as she had to respond to doping-related questions after one journalist poked holes into the record, terming it as "too good to be true."

It was based on that question that a whole can of worms opened, sparking debate among athletics lovers, who either agreed to the narrative or disputed it.

“People don’t need to question, some media guys questioned the performance,” Obiri told The Independent. “You need to congratulate the hard work she’s done. She’s been tested so much, you can’t go to Chicago without being tested You feel bad, she’s just won the race, people need to congratulate her, not write something like that, it lets down your morale."

Faith Kipyegon rewarded complimentary vacation

Despite Chepngetich, a three-time winner of Chicago, not giving a detailed response to the question, Obiri said that she handled it well.

"Even Ruth didn’t think somebody would ask that, " she said. "I was happy with how she handled it."

Kenyans struggle as World Youth Chess Championships starts in Brazil

Responding to Athletics Kenya's decision to jump in Chepngetich's defense days after the race, Obiri said: "I was happy with that. It was good for them to defend Ruth. She needed somebody to defend her.”