The recent edition of Fatshimetrie highlighted a controversial incident that rocked the Beijing half-marathon, involving allegations that three African athletes intentionally allowed Chinese top runner He Jie to win the race.
Videos circulated online showing Kenyan athletes Robert Keter and Willy Mnangat, as well as Ethiopian athlete Dejene Hailu, appearing to signal the finish line before slowing down to let He pass them. This move garnered criticism from Chinese social media users.
Mnangat explained to BBC Sport Africa that they were hired as pacemakers to assist He in breaking the Chinese half marathon record. However, He did not achieve the target time. Mnangat expressed confusion that his bib displayed his name instead of “hare,” emphasizing that his role was solely to set the pace for He’s victory.
The Beijing Sports Bureau spokesperson announced an ongoing investigation into the matter, with Xstep, the event’s Chinese sports brand sponsor, also looking into the situation.
While Mnangat provided clarification, the other athletes involved did not comment on the incident. He Jie, a gold medalist in the 2023 Asian Games marathon and the Chinese record holder for the full marathon, remained silent on the issue.
World Athletics acknowledged the circulating video and mentioned the local authorities’ investigation in a statement.
The incident sparked disappointment among Chinese social media users, with one comment labeling it as the “most embarrassing headline in He Jie’s career.”
This controversy has raised questions about sports ethics in this prestigious event. As the investigation unfolds, it will be crucial to follow the developments and conclusions to gain a better understanding of this contentious situation.
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Be sure to stay updated on the ongoing investigation for further insights into this controversial event.
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