The organizers of the Beijing half marathon are facing scrutiny following allegations that three African athletes deliberately allowed China's star runner, He Jie, to win Sunday's race.
Footage emerged showing Kenya's Robert Keter and Willy Mnangat, along with Ethiopia's Dejene Hailu, seemingly pointing to the finish line and slowing down before letting He Jie pass them. While the trio tied for second place, He Jie narrowly missed breaking the Chinese half-marathon record. Mnangat, one of the athletes involved, claimed they were contracted as pacemakers to assist He Jie in breaking the national record. However, he emphasized that the race was not competitive for him, and his job was solely to set the pace.
The Beijing Sports Bureau and Xstep, the event's sponsor, have both confirmed investigations into the incident. World Athletics also issued a statement acknowledging the ongoing investigation and emphasizing the importance of maintaining the sport's integrity.
Meanwhile, reactions on Chinese social media platforms have been mixed, with some users criticizing the incident as a blow to sportsmanship and He Jie's reputation.
The controversy underscores concerns about fair play and integrity in competitive sports, prompting calls for transparency and accountability from event organizers and athletes alike.
