In a landmark decision, the Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.) has announced it will pay $100,000 in prize money owed to Ethiopian runner Buzunesh Deba, the official winner of the 2014 Boston Marathon.
The payout comes nearly a decade after Deba was elevated to first place following the disqualification of Kenya’s Rita Jeptoo for doping.
The delay stemmed from the B.A.A.’s longstanding policy of withholding funds until money could be reclaimed from disqualified athletes.
This practice left Deba without her rightful earnings, despite her victory and record-setting performance on the course. The $100,000 includes $75,000 for the first-place prize and an additional $25,000 for breaking the women’s course record.
Policy Changes for Fairness
Prompted by public scrutiny and advocacy, the B.A.A. has revamped its policy to ensure timely payments to athletes affected by doping violations.
Around 80 runners from Boston Marathons held between 2003 and 2016 and nine athletes from the 2024 Boston 5K are now eligible for a share of approximately $300,000 in retroactive payments.
The organization is also reviewing records dating back to 1986 to identify other athletes who may have been similarly impacted.
“This is an opportunity for us as an organization to reward athletes who have played by the rules,” the B.A.A. said in a statement. “We continue to do everything we can to ensure a level playing field at our events.”
A Decade-Long Wait Ends
Deba’s husband and coach, Worku Beyi, shared that the family was overwhelmed with joy upon receiving the news.
Currently in Ethiopia training for a comeback, Deba was reportedly moved to tears by the announcement.
The B.A.A.’s decision also spurred an act of kindness from Doug Guyer, a reader of The Wall Street Journal, who had written Deba a check to compensate for her unpaid prize money.
Despite the B.A.A.’s reversal, Guyer insisted the family keep the funds for her training needs.
