Hellen Obiri has lamented about the unfair treatment female athletes face as compared to their male counterparts.
Two-time Boston Marathon champion Hellen Obiri remains one of the most consistent Kenyan athletes but there are several challenges she had to endure to get to where she is.
Hellen Obiri started her professional career in 2010 and made her first national team at the 2011 Daegu World Championships where she finished 10th in the final of the women’s 1500m.
Despite the finish, she kept pushing hard and made the team to the London 2012 Olympic Games where she finished seventh in the 1500m.
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Hellen Obiri continued putting in the work and heading to the 2013 World Championships in Russia, she claimed a bronze medal in the 1500m and then picked up from there, winning gold medals in the 2017 and 2019 World Championships.
Her latest achievement was winning a bronze medal at the Paris Olympic Games competing in the marathon but she has pointed out a major gap in today’s world of sports.
Obiri lamented that despite the hard work and effort, female athletes are often overlooked, an unfair move.
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Here’s all you need to know about Kenyan marathon great Hellen Obiri.
“Talent alone is not enough. Discipline, resilience, and an unshakable belief in oneself are what keep champions going,” she explained, speaking at NOCK’s gender conference.
“And yet, female athletes often don’t receive the same recognition or respect as their male counterparts.
“Many still underestimate the hard work, sacrifices, and mental strength it takes for women in sports to reach the top.”
The 2023 New York City Marathon champion revealed that she has had to make a lot of sacrifices that many people might not be aware of.
“You need to sacrifice and have discipline because it’s never easy. Since 2011, I have remained strong, competing at the highest level and still looking ahead to more races,” Hellen Obiri said.
“But behind every victory are the unseen struggles in early mornings, long training sessions, and endless miles on dusty roads.”
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Obiri now looks forward to a rare feat, defending her title at the Boston Marathon after winning the 2023 and 2024 editions of the event.
She has showcased consistency all through and having won there two times, she has an added advantage to her opponents. She has also jetted back to Kenya to train extensively ahead of the challenge.
