Three African race leaders seemed to slow down at the finish line in order to give a Chinese runner the advantage in the Beijing half-marathon, and as a result, the top three finishers had their medals taken away.
He Jie, the winner, and three African racers had their results revoked, according to Reuters, after it was discovered that the three had helped the Chinese athlete win.
At 1:03.44, he had won the race in the capital of China, besting Ethiopian Dejene Hailu Bikila and Kenyans Robert Keter and Willy Mnangat, who came in second and third respectively.
The three African runners “actively slowed down in the last two kilometers and as a result, He Jie won the men’s championship,” according to a statement from the organizing committee.
“Trophy, medals, and bonuses will be recovered,” they continued.
3 African Athletes let Chinese Runner, He Jie win the 2024 Beijing Half Marathon.
He finished first with a time of 1:03:44.
Dejene Hailu Bikila 🇪🇹, Robert Keter 🇪🇹 and Willy Mnangat 🇰🇪 finished second with a time of 1:03:45.
Willy said he let him win because he is his friend. pic.twitter.com/NoZAJ553G6
— Africa Facts Zone (@AfricaFactsZone) April 16, 2024
