The winner of Beijing’s half marathon, He Jie, and three African runners have faced disqualification following an investigation uncovering...
The winner of Beijing’s half marathon, He Jie, and three African runners have faced disqualification following an investigation uncovering strategic slowdown tactics by the latter trio, allowing He to clinch the first position, organisers revealed on Friday.
“He Jie won the men’s championship because the three African runners actively slowed down in the last 2 kilometers,” stated the organising committee.
He emerged victorious in the race held last Sunday in China’s capital, crossing the finish line with a timing of 1:03:44, a mere second ahead of Ethiopian Dejene Hailu Bikila, and Kenyans Robert Keter and Willy Mnangat, who shared the second spot.
“All trophies, medals, and bonuses will be withdrawn,” the committee confirmed.
Moreover, the Zhongao Lupao Beijing Sports Management company, responsible for race operations, will be stripped of its hosting and operational rights for the Beijing half marathon, as added by the committee.
“We bear a great responsibility and would like to experience our sincere apologies to all runners,” admitted the Zhongao Lupao Beijing Sports Management company.
In response, Mnangat explained that they functioned as pacemakers and not as competitors. However, the committee countered this claim, stating that pacers would not have been permitted to participate as specially invited athletes without prior approval from the organizers.
“Pacers would not have been allowed to participate without organizers’ approval,” reiterated the committee.
The race operator, Zhongao Lupao Beijing Sports Management company, attributed the oversight to its partner Xiamen Xtep Investment, a unit of Hong Kong-listed Xtep 1368.HK, for failing to provide the requisite pacer information to the organising committee.
“We bear a great responsibility for this, fully accept the punishment decision made by the organizing committee,” Xtep expressed.
Meanwhile, during the final stretch of the race, He found himself slightly trailing behind the three African runners, only for them to deliberately slow down, paving the way for He’s victory as they gestured towards the finish line.
“The three African runners actively slowed down in the last 2 kilometers,” reiterated the committee.
The incident at the Beijing Half Marathon underscores a broader issue within long-distance running races in China, plagued by instances of cheating and organizational lapses. Notably, in Shenzhen’s 2018 half marathon, 258 participants were caught cheating, further tarnishing the sport’s integrity.
By Vivian K.
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