The recent Beijing half marathon is under scrutiny following claims that the event was manipulated to allow China’s He Jie to secure a win, BBC has reported. During the race, video footage showed the African runners, who were acting as pacemakers, allegedly slowing down deliberately to let He Jie pass them just before the finish line.
Robert Keter and Willy Mnangat from Kenya, along with Ethiopia’s Dejene Hailu, were seen pointing towards the finish line, then visibly slowing their pace to allow He, 25, to finish first. This unusual ending sparked widespread criticism on social media platforms in China.
In response to the backlash, Mnangat explained to BBC Sport Africa that their role was specifically to act as pacemakers for He, aiming to help him break the Chinese half-marathon record of one hour, two minutes, and 33 seconds. Despite their efforts, He finished the race in 1:03:44, missing the record by over a minute but finishing one second ahead of the trio.
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The Beijing Sports Bureau is currently investigating the incident, with a spokesperson stating that the results of the inquiry will be made public once concluded. The race’s sponsor, Xstep, a Chinese sports brand, also acknowledged the ongoing verification process, promising to update the public as new information becomes available.
This race has attracted attention not only for the controversial finish but also for the implications it has on the integrity of sporting events. The incident has led to discussions about the role of pacemakers and the ethics involved in such arrangements. World Athletics has also expressed concern, noting that the integrity of the sport is a top priority and that they are monitoring the situation closely.
He Jie, who won marathon gold at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou and holds China’s record for the full marathon, has not yet commented on the controversy. Social media reactions continue to pour in, with many users expressing disappointment and calling the event outcome “the most embarrassing title of He Jie’s career.”
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