“Controversy at Beijing Half Marathon: Organisers Investigate Finish”

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"Controversy at Beijing Half Marathon: Organisers Investigate Finish"

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The Beijing half marathon is under scrutiny following allegations that three African athletes deliberately allowed China’s star runner, He Jie, to win the race on Sunday.

Video footage surfaced, seemingly showing Kenya’s Robert Keter and Willy Mnangat, along with Ethiopia’s Dejene Hailu, pointing to the finish line, slowing down, and gesturing for He to pass them. He, 25, ultimately crossed the finish line one second ahead of the trio, who tied for second place.

The controversial result sparked criticism from some Chinese social media users, prompting an investigation by the Beijing Sports Bureau. A spokesperson stated that they are looking into the incident and will release the findings once available.

Xstep, a Chinese sports brand sponsoring the event and with a contract with He, stated that they are still verifying the situation with multiple parties and will provide updates soon.

He, a marathon gold medalist at the 2023 Asian Games and a record holder in his country, has not commented on the incident, nor have the other runners involved.

In a statement from World Athletics,  affirmed the importance of integrity in the sport and acknowledged the ongoing investigation by local authorities.

On Chinese social media platform Weibo, users expressed disappointment, with one comment calling it “the most embarrassing title of He Jie’s career” garnering significant attention. Another post criticized the impact on sportsmanship, particularly considering the event’s prestigious status and organizers.