Controversy at Beijing Half Marathon
The winner of Beijing’s half marathon, He Jie, and three African runners have had their results cancelled after an investigation found that the three slowed down near the finish line, allowing the Chinese athlete to finish first.
Organizers’ Decision
- All trophies, medals, and bonuses will be withdrawn.
- Athletes will be reported to the Chinese Athletics Association.
- The race operator will be disqualified from hosting future events.
Mnangat, one of the African runners, stated that they were acting as pacemakers and not competing. However, the committee clarified that pacers should not have participated without approval.
Responsibility Acknowledged
The Zhongao Lupao Beijing Sports Management company admitted to failing to provide relevant pacer information, leading to the misunderstanding. Xtep Investment, a sponsor of He Jie, also accepted responsibility for the oversight.
During the race, the African runners slowed down and gestured for He Jie to finish first, sparking widespread skepticism and criticism on social media.
Long-distance running races in China have faced challenges with cheating and organization issues in the past, highlighting the need for stricter regulations and oversight.