Recently, footage has emerged online suggesting that three African runners intentionally allowed Chinese runner He Jie to win the Beijing half marathon last year. The video showed Kenyans Robert Keter and Willy Mnangat, Ethiopian Dejene Hailu, and He approaching the finish line together. As they neared the end, the African runners appeared to signal for He to take the lead, ultimately crossing the finish line ahead of them by just one second.
The incident has sparked discussion on Chinese social media platform Weibo, with many users expressing disappointment in the runners’ actions. Some have criticized the lack of sportsmanship displayed in the event, calling it embarrassing for He Jie.
Long-distance running has become increasingly popular among China’s middle class in recent years. However, there have been instances of cheating and poor organisation in races. In a 2018 half-marathon in Shenzhen, 258 runners were caught cheating by taking shortcuts. Similarly, in a 2019 marathon in Xuzhou, a woman was filmed riding a bike during the race, prompting race officials to intervene.
These incidents highlight the need for fair competition and sportsmanship in running events. Cheating and unfair tactics not only undermine the integrity of the sport but also tarnish the reputation of the athletes involved. The investigation into the Beijing half marathon will hopefully shed light on what occurred and ensure that future races are conducted with the utmost fairness and integrity.
