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lite.cnn.com - on gopher - inofficial
ARTICLE VIEW:
/
Chinese runner’s win invites suspicion after rivals appear to step
aside
By Andrew McNicol and Hassan Tayir, CNN
Updated:
4:52 AM EDT, Tue April 16, 2024
Source: CNN
Chinese runner He Jie’s victory Sunday in the Beijing Half Marathon
is facing a probe after his win was called into question by Chinese
internet users because a trio of African runners appeared to
deliberately slow down to let him win.
A to the race shows Kenya’s Willy Mnangat turn toward He and gesture
him to move ahead as the four men run neck and neck just meters from
the finish line.
Former 5km world record-holder Robert Keter, also of Kenya, then
appears to wave at He to overtake the pack while signaling for his
compatriot and Ethiopia’s Dejene Hailu to hang back.
The Chinese runner crossed the finish line in 1:03:44 to claim the
$5,500 first prize, with the African trio just one second behind in
joint-second place.
The video clip shows the African runners applauding He’s win and
patting him on the back, though the Asian Games marathon champion
appears less enthused despite winning his first ever competitive half
marathon.
He, 25, who has broken China’s marathon record twice in the past two
years, told reporters after the race that he “was not in my best
competitive state” — but he did not address the controversial
finish.
Some Chinese internet users called for an investigation into the race,
while others demanded action from organizers.
“The so-called ‘ways of the world’ should not taint the fairness
of competition in sports. Fairness is always at the core of sporting
spirit,” said one user on social platform Weibo.
Another popular comment said: “I support an investigation, and fair
play is vital,” with the user adding they hoped authorities “can
give a clear explanation to maintain fairness of competition and
respect athletes’ efforts.”
In a statement Monday, race organizers the Beijing Municipal Sports
Bureau and Chinese Athletics Association said they attach “great
importance” to the matter and were conducting an investigation.
Chinese sports company Xtep, which sponsors both He and the Beijing
Half Marathon, told state-run outlet The Paper the situation is
“being investigated and verified by multiple parties.”
“Further information will be communicated as soon as possible,”
Xtep .
World Athletics, the sport’s international governing body, said in a
statement to CNN Tuesday that it was aware of the footage of the race
circulating online and understood local authorities were investigating.
“The integrity of our sport is the highest priority at World
Athletics,” it said.
Some observers agreed the finish to the race seemed unusual.
“It’s just a bad look, however you slice it,” said sports analyst
Mark Dreyer, author of “Sporting Superpower: An Insider’s View on
China’s Quest to Be the Best.”
“It’s one thing for four runners running right at the end to
potentially hold hands or cross the line together in a show of
sportsmanship. That’s not what we saw.
“It’s not a sprint finish for anyone other than He Jie. It
doesn’t take a genius or running expert to figure that out.”
He, who hails from northwest China’s Ningxia region, is considered
one of the country’s most promising long-distance runners. He is
ranked 77th in the world in men’s marathon by World Athletics and is
expected to lead the way for Asian runners in the upcoming Paris 2024
Summer Olympics.
“He Jie is elite,” Dreyer said. “He doesn’t need charity like
this.”
This story has been updated with additional information.
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