BANGKOK (AP) — Organizers have revoked He Jie’s first place in the Beijing Half Marathon last weekend after an investigation confirmed that three other runners had slowed down to let him win the race.
All four runners were disqualified and had to return their medals and award money.
Chinese online users had shared the video from the final moment s of Sunday’s race out of suspicion that it had been rigged. The footage showed three African runners letting He, China’s top long-distance runner, move ahead of them shortly before they were about to reach the finish line.
The three runners deliberately reduced their pace, according to a statement from a committee set up to investigate the race.
The special committee said that four runners had originally been hired as pacemakers by a sponsor but that the main organizers of the race had not known this. One of the pacemakers didn’t finish the race.
France asks retailers to alert customers to cases of 'shrinkflation'
Israeli soccer facing Palestinian calls for action by FIFA at annual congress
Alison Hammond's hunky new boyfriend 'quit Russia to avoid call
Erling Haaland is a doubt for Man City's FA Cup semifinal against Chelsea
Strong quake in southwestern Japan leaves 9 with minor injuries, but no tsunami
Tesla's Cybertruck disaster: Insider reveals 'serious safety issues' behind scenes of EV rollout
Gay 30 Rock actor Maulik Pancholy is canceled from anti
Real Madrid adapts to Champions League needs: Shock and awe one week, armadillo defense the next
Jeezy BACKTRACKS on request for full custody of daughter Monaco, two, amid Jeannie Mai divorce
Portuguese bodybuilder 'Monster', who claimed to be the 'most shredded ever', dies aged 46