Organizers of Beijing Half Marathon are investigating athletes who appeared to have let a Chinese National win a race after three Africans slowed down close to the finish line.
Footage of the race clearly shows the African athletes deliberately slowing down and allowing the Chinese runner to cross the finish line first.
Beijing half marathon organisers said on Monday they were investigating after footage shared widely online appeared to show three African runners deliberately allowing China’s He Jie to win.
Video clips of Sunday’s race showed Kenyans Robert Keter and Willy Mnangat, Dejene Hailu of Ethiopia and home runner He approaching the finish.
The three African runners can be seen pointing to the finish line and apparently waving He out in front, while appearing to slow down.
READ also:Two Kenyans Accused of letting a Chinese Athlete Win the Beijing Half Marathon Deliberately
Similar Cases
This incident also brings to mind past cases where athletes have colluded to manipulate race outcomes for financial gain, such as the infamous case involving Bernard Barmasai and Christopher Koskei in 1999.
Barmasai’s disqualification from the Zurich race, which would have secured him the $1 million Golden League jackpot, due to collusion with Koskei, serves as a reminder of the consequences of such actions.
In the Zurich race, Koskei, under pressure from Barmasai, initially appeared to break away but ultimately eased off, allowing Barmasai to take the lead and win the race.
This collusion ultimately led to Barmasai’s disqualification and tarnished the integrity of the competition.
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