Organisers of the Beijing half marathon are investigating allegations that three African athletes intentionally allowed China’s star runner He Jie to win Sunday’s race.
Footage appeared, exterior to indicate Kenya’s Robert Keter and Willy Mnangat and Ethiopia’s Dejene Hailu pointing to the road and slowing down earlier than waving He previous.
He, 25, completed one second forward of the trio, who tied for second place.
The outcome was criticised by some Chinese language social media customers.
A spokesperson on the Beijing Sports activities Bureau instructed AFP they have been investigating the incident, including: “We’ll announce the outcomes to the general public as soon as they’re out there.”
Xstep, a Chinese language sports activities model who sponsored the occasion and have a contract with He, instructed Chinese language state-owned The Paper, exterior: “The scenario continues to be being confirmed and verified by a number of events. Additional data will probably be communicated as quickly as attainable.”
He, 25, gained marathon gold on the 2023 Asian Video games in Hangzhou and is his nation’s file holder within the occasion.
Not one of the runners have commented on the incident.
Customers of Chinese language social media website Weibo have posted in regards to the race, with a remark saying “that is little doubt probably the most embarrassing title of He Jie’s profession” receiving greater than 1,000 likes.
One other put up added: “With such a serious organiser and such a widely known occasion, this actually pushes sportsmanship to the bottom in disgrace.”
