The results of Beijing’s half marathon were canceled after an investigation found that three African runners had slowed down to allow a Chinese athlete to win.
HONG KONG — The winner of Beijing’s half marathon, He Jie, and three African runners have had their results canceled after an investigation found that the three slowed down near the finish line allowing the Chinese athlete to finish first, organizers said Friday. He had won the race held last Sunday in China’s capital in a time of 1:03:44, a second ahead of Ethiopian Dejene Hailu Bikila and Kenyans Robert Keter and Willy Mnangat, who tied for second place.
The Zhong’ao Lupao Beijing Sports Management company said its partner Xiamen Xtep Investment, a unit of Hong Kong-listed Xtep, failed to note the relevant pacer information, which led to the organizing committee not being informed. “Our company has unshirkable responsibility and would like to express our sincere apologies to all runners.” He has been sponsored by Xtep since 2021, according to its website.
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