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.
Biden administration restricts oil and gas leasing in Alaska
Roundup: Chinese FM Expounds on China
Xiplomacy: A Letter from Xi — A Fond Memory of China
The NBA playoffs are finally here. And as LeBron James says, 'it's a sprint now'
New Suzhou Youth Symphony Orchestra established
China holds conference on internet civilization
Emma Roberts keeps it casual in a hoodie and Dragon Ball Z t
Xi Calls for Unity to Achieve Better Asia
Hackers claim Belarus fertilizer plant infiltrated to demand political prisoner release
Scenery at Yellow River Delta National Nature Reserve in E China