Chinese runner's win is revoked after investigation into Beijing Half Marathon

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 organizing committee said in a statement that the three African runners “actively slowed down in the last 2 kilometers and as a result He Jie won the men’s championship.”

All trophies, medals and bonuses will be withdrawn and the athletes will be reported to the Chinese Athletics Association, it said.

The race operator, the Zhong’ao Lupao Beijing Sports Management company, will also be disqualified from hosting and operating the Beijing half marathon, the committee added.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/beijing-half-marathon-chinese-runners-win-revoked-rcna148555

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