Beijing half marathon organisers are investigating after footage went viral online showing three African runners apparently allowing China’s He Jie to win the race. The video clips from Sunday’s race show the Kenyans Robert Keter and Willy Mnangat, Dejene Hailu of Ethiopia, and Chinese runner He approaching the finish line. The African runners can be seen pointing to the finish line and waving He ahead, appearing to slow down to let him win by just one second. The incident has sparked criticism online, with some calling it embarrassing and questioning sportsmanship.
The Beijing Sports Bureau and the Beijing Sports Competition Management and International Exchange Center have both launched investigations into the incident. The video footage has received significant attention on Chinese social media site Weibo, with users expressing disappointment in what they see as a questionable result. Long-distance running has become increasingly popular among China’s middle class in recent years, but there have been instances of cheating and poor organisation in races.
In 2018, a half-marathon in Shenzhen saw 258 runners caught cheating by taking shortcuts during the race, as captured by traffic cameras. This incident highlighted the prevalence of cheating in long-distance running events in China. In another case in 2019, a woman was filmed riding a green rental bike during the Xuzhou International Marathon and was told by race officials to dismount, only to get back on the bike later. These incidents raise concerns about the integrity and fairness of competitive running events in the country.
The Beijing half marathon incident has raised questions about sportsmanship and fair play, as well as the credibility of race results. The three African runners appearing to deliberately allow He Jie to win has drawn criticism online, with some calling it embarrassing for all involved. The investigations by event organisers and sports authorities will likely shed light on the motives behind the actions of the African runners and determine if any rules were violated during the race.
The popularity of long-distance running in China has led to an increase in race participants, but also challenges such as cheating and poor organisation. Events like the Beijing half marathon serve as a platform for athletes to showcase their skills and compete, but incidents like this one can tarnish the reputation of the sport. The outcome of the investigations into the incident will be closely watched by the running community in China and beyond to ensure transparency and fairness in future races.
Overall, the Beijing half marathon incident involving the African runners and He Jie winning the race has sparked controversy and debate about sportsmanship and ethics in competitive running. The investigations underway will aim to determine the circumstances behind the actions of the runners and address any concerns about the integrity of the event. Moving forward, measures may be put in place to prevent such incidents and uphold the principles of fairness and honesty in long-distance running competitions in China.
