Beijing half marathon top three stripped of medals as leaders appeared to slow down to ‘let Chinese runner win’
BEIJING half marathon’s top three runners have been stripped of their medals.
The decision came after a bizarre end to the race, which saw He Jie allowed to win.
XWatch ’embarrassing’ moment race leaders slow down ‘to let Chinese runner win’ Beijing half-marathon[/caption]
The Chinese runner appeared to be let through to first place by three African runners.
He finished with a time of 1:03.44 ahead of Ethiopian runner Dejene Hailu Bikila and Kenyans Robert Keter and Willy Mnangat.
The three Africans came in as joint second place, but an investigation found that they “actively slowed down” to let He Jie win, according to Reuters.
As a result, they have been stripped of their medals and bonuses for finishing the race.
The organising committee said in a statement: “[They] actively slowed down in the last two kilometres, and as a result, He Jie won the men’s championship.
“They added that the ‘trophies, medals and bonuses will be recovered.”
The race operator, Zhongao Lupao Beijing Sports Management, have also been disqualified from hosting and operating the event.
Mnangat reportedly told the BBC that he and the other Africans were running as pacemakers.
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He claimed that he had been contracted to beat the national half marathon record of 1:02:33, which he was not able to do.
He said: “I was not there to compete. It was not a competitive race for me.
“I don’t know why they put my name on my bib/chest number instead of labelling it as a pacemaker.
“My job was to set the pace and help the guy win but unfortunately, he did not achieve the target, which was to break the national record.”
The operator claimed that its partner Xiamen Xtep had not noted the needed pacer information.
This mistake meant that the organising committee were not informed.
A Xtep statement read: ” Our company has unshirkable responsibility and would like to experience our sincere apologies to all runners.
“We bear a great responsibility and fully accept the punishment decision made by the organising committee.”
Top 20 UK sporting moments of the 21st century, voted by fans
1. Sir Andy Murray winning Wimbledon in 2013
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3. The Lionesses winning the Women’s Euros in 2022
4. Leicester City winning the Premier League in 2015/16
5. Sir Mo Farah’s double gold at the 2012 Olympics – 5,000m and 10,000m
6. Sir Steve Redgrave winning his fifth consecutive Olympic rowing golds in 2000
7. ‘The Miracle of Istanbul’ – Liverpool’s comeback from 3-0 down to win the Champions League against AC Milan in 2005
8. England winning the Ashes in 2005
9. England’s Cricket ODI World Cup win in 2019
10. David Beckham’s last-minute free-kick against Greece in 2001 to secure England’s qualification for the 2002 World Cup
11. Manchester City FC’s men’s team completing a historic treble in 2023 (winning the FA Cup, Premier League, and Champion’s League)
12. Sir Chris Hoy’s triple gold at the 2008 Olympics in track cycling
13. Sir Lewis Hamilton winning his seventh Formula 1 championship in 2021
14. Emma Raducanu winning US Open title in 2021
15. Dame Kelly Holmes’ double gold at the 2004 Olympics for the 800m and 1500m races
16. Ben Stokes’ Ashes-saving 135 not out at Headingly in 2019
17. Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill’s heptathlon gold at the 2012 Olympics
18. Sir Bradley Wiggins’ Tour de France victory in 2012
19. Ronnie O’Sullivan winning with seventh snooker World Championship in 2022
20. Paula Radcliffe’s marathon world record in 2003
