Beijing half-marathon organizers investigating whether competitors let Chinese runner win
Authorities have opened an investigation after video from the finish line at a the Beijing half-marathon raised questions about whether other athletes let a Chinese runner win the race.
A now-viral video shows Kenyan runners Robert Keter and Willy Mnangat and Ethiopian runner Dejene Hailu running in a pack with Chinese runner Jie He, 25. At one point, the runner closest to He appears to wave him over, and He cross their path. They stick in a pack until the very end, when He beats the rest by a mere second.
He received the the first place medal, while the three other runners tied for second place, BBC Sport reports. Social media users in China criticized the results of the race, prompting officials to open an investigation.
China Stringer Network via Reuters
The Beijing Sports Bureau said it is investigating and will announce the results once they are available, AFP reported. CBS News has reached out to the bureau for a statement and is awaiting response.
The Paper that the situation is “still being confirmed and verified by multiple parties.”
Caitlin O’Kane
Source: cbsnews.com