Getty Image / Chen Wen/China News Service/VCG
The Beijing Half Marathon is under investigation from the race’s organizers after footage has emerged which appears to show three African racers collude to let an elite Chinese runner win the half marathon.
Dejene Hailu of Ethiopia and Robert Keter and Willy Mnangat of Kenya were running side by side with He Jie of China. The pack of four were closing in on the finish line when the African runners start exchanging glances and then run a half pace behind Chinese runner He Jie.
Jie would eventually finish just a second ahead of the African trio who all crossed the Beijing Half Marathon finish line at the same time and tied for second place. Footage of the finish line certainly seems to indicate something was off with the race’s finish but that’s why there is now an investigation:
A Beijing Sports Bureau spokesperson told AFP “We will announce the results to the public once they are available” after backlash began building on social media in China over the controversial finish.
BBC Sport reported that one of the race’s sponsors, Xstep, who has a partnership with He Jie, told Chinese newspaper ThePaper “The situation is still being confirmed and verified by multiple parties. Further information will be communicated as soon as possible.”
He Jie holds the Chinese record for fastest marathon and won gold in the event at the 2023 Asian Games. He is a star in the sport and in his country.
Interestingly, this event came on the eve of the Boston Marathon which is one of the most prestigious races in the world. There are countless reasons those racers could have skipped Boston for the Beijing Half Marathon but it ups the intrigue as an investigation begins into the controversial finish.