In the aftermath of the Beijing half marathon held on Sunday, an investigation is underway following video footage that emerged online suggesting that three African runners deliberately allowed China’s He Jie to win the race. The Kenyan runners Robert Keter and Willy Mnangat, Dejene Hailu from Ethiopia, and Chinese runner He can be seen in video clips approaching the finish line together. The African runners appeared to point and wave He ahead of them while slowing down, allowing him to clinch victory by just one second after running a course of over 13 miles (21 kilometers) alongside his competitors.
The Beijing Sports Bureau and the event’s organizer, the Beijing Sports Competition Management and International Exchange Center, have both launched investigations into the incident. The controversy has attracted attention on Chinese social media platform Weibo, with users criticizing the outcome as “embarrassing” for He Jie. Long-distance running has become increasingly popular among China’s middle class in recent years, but instances of cheating and poorly organized events have tarnished the sport’s reputation.
Previous cases of cheating in Chinese marathons have been reported, such as in 2018 when 258 runners were caught cheating during a half-marathon in Shenzhen by taking shortcuts. In another incident in 2019, a woman was filmed riding a rental bike during the Xuzhou International Marathon and was told to dismount by race officials, only to continue riding the bike later on. These incidents highlight the challenges and controversies that Chinese marathons face, reflecting the need for better oversight and enforcement to ensure fair competition.
The incident has sparked outrage among many on social media platforms who are calling for greater transparency and accountability in marathon races. Some are also calling for stricter penalties for those who engage in cheating or poor sportsmanship.
In response to this controversy, organizers have stated that they will take all necessary steps to investigate thoroughly into this matter and make sure that it does not happen again. They also expressed their regret towards anyone who might have been involved in this act.
The incident highlights once again how important it is for athletes to uphold high standards of sportsmanship and fairness at all times. It also serves as a reminder that no matter how popular or lucrative a particular sport may be, it cannot be allowed to compromise its integrity or values.
Overall, it remains to be seen what consequences this investigation will bring about for those involved
