The Beijing half marathon made headlines this week after footage emerged online appearing to show three African runners deliberately allowing China’s He Jie to win.
The video, which has since gone viral, sparked intense debate and prompted the event’s organizers to launch an investigation into the matter. According to local reports, the three runners – two Kenyans and an Ethiopian – were seen pointing to the finish line and slowing down, allowing He Jie to cross the line first.
The incident has caused a stir in the running community, with many criticizing what they see as an “embarrassing” result. Fans of the sport took to Chinese social media site Weibo to express their disappointment, with one user calling it the “most embarrassing championship” of He Jie’s career.
Many were quick to point out that the event, organized by the Beijing Sports Competition Management and International Exchange Center, is highly reputable and such an incident should not have occurred.
The video sparked debate about the integrity of the sport, with some questioning the sportsmanship of the African runners. The race’s international body, World Athletics, stated that they were “aware” of the footage and the investigation into it, but declined to comment further.
This incident has reignited concerns about cheating in long-distance running, with past instances of poor organization and cheating causing controversy.
Despite the negative attention, the Beijing half marathon has seen a surge in popularity in recent years, especially among China’s growing middle class. The race, which covers a distance of just over 13 miles, has attracted international runners and is seen as a prestigious event in the running world. However, this year’s race has been overshadowed by the controversial ending, bringing into question the ethics of the sport.
In the past, China has struggled with cheating in long-distance running events, with hundreds of runners caught cutting the course or using shortcuts to improve their times. This latest incident has raised concerns about the strict regulations and monitoring in place to prevent cheating. Fans of the sport are calling for stricter measures to be put in place to ensure fair competition and uphold the integrity of the sport.
In response to the backlash, the Beijing Sports Bureau and the race’s organizers have launched an investigation into the incident. Both parties have assured the public that they are taking the matter seriously and will announce the results of the investigation to the public once they are available. Many are hoping for a fair and transparent resolution to the issue, with the hopes that it will not overshadow the achievements of the runners who participated in the race.
