Beijing, China (LA News Center) – The Mengniu Beijing Half Marathon has come under scrutiny following a series of videos circulating online. The clips appear to show three African runners slowing down to allow China’s He Jie, a top long-distance runner, to claim first place.
He Jie’s Victory
He, who holds the Chinese national marathon record, crossed the finish line in first place with a time of 1 hour, 3 minutes, and 44 seconds. The Asian Games champion’s victory raised questions when a live stream revealed an incident in the race’s final moments.
Alleged Interference
In the footage, one of the runners can be seen motioning for He, who was trailing the pack, to move forward. The African runners involved in the alleged incident were Robert Keter, Willy Mnangat from Kenya, and Dejene Hailu from Ethiopia.
Official Investigation
The organizers of the race have launched an investigation into the matter. According to The Associated Press, a statement from the organizing committee said, “We attach great importance to the issue raised by netizens and have established a special investigation team.” The results of the investigation will be made public.
Runner’s Defense
Willy Mnangat told BBC Sport Africa that the African group was not competing but rather serving as pacemakers for He. “It was not a competitive race for me,” Mnangat said.
Opposing Views
Many online commentators have expressed outrage over the alleged incident, calling it unsportsmanlike and questioning the integrity of the race. However, some have defended the African runners, suggesting that they were simply helping a fellow competitor achieve a personal goal.
Unraveling the Truth
The ongoing investigation will determine the truth behind the incident and whether any rules were violated. The outcome of the inquiry will have significant implications for the reputation of the Beijing Half Marathon and the sport of long-distance running.
Data sourced from: foxnews.com
