The victory of Chinese runner He Jie in the Beijing Half Marathon has come under scrutiny after a video clip showed African runners appearing to deliberately slow down to let him win. The clip shows Kenya’s Willy Mnangat gesturing for He to move ahead just before the finish line, with former world record holder Robert Keter and Ethiopian Dejene Hailu also appearing to allow He to win. despite winning his first ever competitive half marathon, He seemed less enthused about his victory and admitted he was not in his best competitive state. Some Chinese internet users called for an investigation into the race to ensure fairness in sports competition.
The Beijing Municipal Sports Bureau and Chinese Athletics Association have acknowledged the feedback they received about the race and have stated that it will be processed further. Chinese sports company Xstep, a sponsor of both He and the Beijing Half Marathon, has also stated that the situation is being investigated and verified by multiple parties and that further information will be communicated soon. The controversy has sparked calls for authorities to provide a clear explanation to maintain fairness in competition and respect the efforts of athletes.
Some observers believe that the finish to the race was unusual and not in line with the spirit of sportsmanship. While it is not uncommon for runners to show solidarity and cross the finish line together, the deliberate slowing down of the African runners to allow He to win has raised questions about the integrity of the race. He, who is considered one of China’s most promising long-distance runners and a potential contender in the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics, is ranked 77th in the world in men’s marathon and is seen as an elite athlete who does not need charity to win races.
Sports analyst Mark Dreyer, author of “Sporting Superpower: An Insider’s View on China’s Quest to Be the Best,” commented on the incident, calling it a “bad look” regardless of the intentions behind the African runners’ actions. While it is common for athletes to show sportsmanship at the end of a race, the deliberate slowing down to allow a particular runner to win is not in line with the competitive spirit of sports. The controversy surrounding He’s victory has prompted calls for an investigation into the race to ensure fairness and uphold the principles of competition.
Despite the controversy surrounding his victory, He Jie’s talent and potential as a long-distance runner remain unquestioned. He has broken China’s marathon record twice in the past two years and is expected to lead the way for Asian runners in international competitions, including the upcoming Summer Olympics in Paris 2024. While the outcome of the investigation into the Beijing Half Marathon remains to be seen, the incident has highlighted the importance of upholding fairness and integrity in sports competition, regardless of the circumstances.
