Chinese athlete stripped of medal after being 'let' finish by opponent

China's He Jie became the first runner to cross the finish line of the Beijing half marathon on April 14. However, his victory was marred by allegations that three African runners appeared to have deliberately slowed down in the final seconds to allow the host country's runner to finish first, according to AFP.

Video footage of the race's conclusion has gone viral on Chinese social media. The three African athletes involved in the controversy are Robert Keter and Willy Mnangat from Kenya, and Dejene Hailu Bikila from Ethiopia.

Ha Kiet (red shirt) surpassed Willy Mnangat, Robert Keter and Dejene Hailu Bikila in the final seconds of the race on April 14.

"Today, the organizing committee of the 2024 Beijing Half Marathon issued a decision on the investigation and handling of the men's competition results... The titles, medals and prize money will be revoked," the competition organizers said in a statement on April 19.

The four athletes were neck and neck for more than 21 kilometers. But Ha, who won a marathon gold medal at the 2023 Asian Games, won by just one second after his rivals appeared to slow down just before the finish line and signaled for him to pass.

Controversial finish at 2024 Beijing Half Marathon

Chinese state broadcaster CCTV reported that all four were "punished" and their records were revoked.

Mnangat told the BBC that the three African runners acted as "pacemakers" on the track, although their "bibs" did not indicate that.

Investigators said Mnangat, Keter and Hailu were not properly registered as Ha's "pacemakers" and their actions at the finish line violated the rules of the race.

In another report on April 19, CCTV said China's national sports regulator would take action to "standardize commercial running events."

Long-distance running and marathons have boomed in recent years, attracting participation from China's middle class, but there have also been many cases of cheating or poor organization.

At a half-marathon in Shenzhen city in 2018, 258 athletes were found cheating, many of whom took shortcuts.

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