Dutch Shut Out Kenyan Marathon Winner Because They Won 23 Marathons in Netherlands Over the Last Five Years

Kenyans shut out of the Utrecht marathon in the Netherlands because they won 23 times in the last five years in the five main marathons staged there, while one Belgian and Ethiopian won. So, what was the solution to this "perceived problem?" Here's an excerpt from Radio Netherlands Worldwide of how they got around this issue:

Michel Butter from the Netherlands has won this year's 11th edition of the Utrecht marathon. He completed the 42,195k distance, his first marathon, in two hours and 17 minutes. Controversy surrounded the event as the organisers essentially barred Kenyan athletes, winners of many previous editions, from taking part.

The organisers decided only to pay large cash prizes to people who have been asked to take part - and subsequently invited only Dutch nationals. They argued that the fact that the Kenyans win almost every year has had a demoralising effect on Dutch runners. CLICK HERE to read more.

I understand completely where they are coming from, but to put a discriminatory practice in place only casts a negative light on these marathons. The invited winner received 10,000 euros while the non-invited winner won 100. Will this be a new trend in shutting out Kenyans from winning in marathons internationally?