Chinese Runner “Recommended” by Foreign Athletes Wins Beijing Marathon, Sparking Controversy
In a surprising turn of events at the 2024 Beijing Half Marathon, Chinese athlete He Jie claimed the championship title after being “recommended” by three foreign runners, raising questions about the integrity of the competition.
During the sprint stage of the men’s race, He Jie and three African athletes were in a close battle for first place. In the final moments, the foreign runners appeared to ease up, allowing He Jie to cross the finish line first with a slight advantage. This led many to speculate whether the race was against the spirit of sportsmanship and if sponsors were involved in rigging the event.
After the race, one of the foreign athletes, Willy Mnangat, revealed that they were acting as pacemakers for He Jie and were not there to compete for the title. This revelation raised further concerns about the authenticity of the race and the role of the sponsor, Xtep, in the event.
Following the controversy, the Beijing Half Marathon Organizing Committee announced that a special investigation team had been formed to look into the matter. Xtep, the sponsor of He Jie and the three foreign athletes, stated that they were still gathering information and would provide updates as soon as possible.
The incident has sparked heated discussions among netizens, with many questioning the motives behind the staged race and calling for transparency and fairness in future marathons.
This controversy is not the first of its kind in China, as last year, the Lanzhou Marathon faced similar scrutiny for inviting African runners and giving them priority at the start line. The incident in Lanzhou also raised concerns about the true purpose of holding marathons and the impact of international runners on domestic competitions.
As investigations into the Beijing Half Marathon continue, the sports community and fans await further updates on the outcome of the inquiry and hope for clarity on the true nature of the race.