Beijing Half Marathon Organisers Investigating Allegations of African Runners Allowing Chinese Runner to Win

Beijing Half Marathon Organisers Investigate African Runners Allowing Chinese Competitor to Win

The Beijing half marathon organisers are currently investigating a controversial incident that occurred during Sunday’s race, where footage shared online appeared to show three African runners deliberately allowing China’s He Jie to win.

In the video, Kenyans Robert Keter and Willy Mnangat, Dejene Hailu of Ethiopia, and home runner He can be seen approaching the finish line. The African runners are seen pointing to the finish line and waving He out in front, seemingly slowing down to let him take the lead. He, the 2023 Asian Games marathon gold medallist, ultimately won the race by just one second.

The Beijing Sports Bureau and the event’s organiser, the Beijing Sports Competition Management and International Exchange Center, have both launched investigations into the incident. The situation has sparked significant attention on Chinese social media, with some users criticizing the result as “embarrassing.”

China Sports Insider Mark Dreyer described the incident as “extremely odd,” questioning the motives behind the African runners’ actions. Despite claims that they were pacemakers, Dreyer remained suspicious and called for further investigation.

He Jie, the Chinese runner who benefited from the African runners’ actions, expressed his readiness for the upcoming Paris Olympics, stating that the Beijing half marathon was a training session for him. He emphasized his commitment to showcasing Chinese speed on the international stage.

The incident has raised concerns about sportsmanship and fair play in long-distance running events, particularly in China, where instances of cheating and poor organization have been reported in the past. As the investigation unfolds, the integrity of the sport remains a top priority for World Athletics.