The Beijing half marathon stirred controversy as the top three runners were stripped of their medals, organizers announced, following a contentious finish that saw China’s He Jie emerge as the winner.
During the race’s unusual conclusion, He Jie crossed the finish line first, with Kenyans Robert Keter and Willy Mnangat, and Ethiopian Dejene Hailu seemingly allowing him to claim victory. Footage of this moment went viral, prompting an investigation by the 2024 Beijing Half Marathon Organizing Committee, which culminated in the decision to revoke the awards and bonuses bestowed upon the runners.
The four athletes had maintained a close-knit group throughout the 13-mile race around Beijing’s streets. However, He Jie clinched the win by a mere second after his competitors appeared to slow down and gesture for him to lead. This unusual turn of events prompted widespread criticism on Chinese social media platform Weibo, with users condemning the “embarrassing” outcome.
The Chinese Athletics Association, responding to the incident earlier in the week, pledged to enhance the integrity of the sport within the country. This episode underscores the challenges faced by sporting events in China, despite the growing popularity of long-distance running among the nation’s middle class.
Instances of cheating and organizational lapses have plagued marathons in China in recent years, tarnishing the reputation of such events. In 2018, hundreds of runners were caught cheating in a half marathon in Shenzhen, while in 2019, a participant was filmed riding a rental bike during the Xuzhou International Marathon, highlighting the need for stricter measures to uphold the integrity of competitive sports.
