China’s Top Runner Stripped of Medal in Beijing Half Marathon
He Jie, China’s top long-distance runner, faced a major setback after being stripped of his first-place medal from the Mengniu Beijing Half Marathon. The decision came after an investigation revealed that three African runners had intentionally slowed down to let He pass them.
The incident was captured on video during the race, showing He trailing behind runners from Kenya and Ethiopia. One of the African runners, Willy Mnangat, admitted that they were acting as pacemakers for He rather than competing against him.
All four runners, including He, were disqualified and had to return their medals and prize money. The main organizer of the event also lost its right to host future races as a result of the controversy.
He Jie, who previously won the Asian Games men’s marathon and holds the Chinese national record in the event, finished the race with a time of one hour, three minutes, and 44 seconds. Despite this setback, He remains a prominent figure in the world of long-distance running.
The incident has sparked outrage and raised questions about the integrity of competitive sports. The organizers issued a public apology for the oversight and vowed to prevent similar incidents in the future.
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