African runners appear to let Chinese star win Beijing race in bizarre video

[ism22]

Here's one for old mate to make excuses for...

https://nypost.com/2024/04/14/world-...-beijing-race/


Bizarre video footage captured the moment three East African runners appeared to wave a Chinese athlete ahead of them during the Beijing Half Marathon on Sunday, allowing him to win first place.

Chinese distance runner He Jie crossed the finish line a mere second ahead of Ethiopian Dejene Hailu Bikila and Kenyans Robert Keter and Willy Mgnangat, video taken during the final hundred yards of the race revealed.

Footage of the strange race’s final moments shows the three African runners clumped together, seemingly slowing down on purpose.

One of the men can then be seen extending his arm outward as if signaling for the other two to remain behind him and allow He to pass.

All four then race alongside each other before He crosses the finish line first.

...

“Now I am fully preparing for the Paris Olympics; please believe in Chinese athletes. I hope to showcase Chinese speed in Paris and let the world see the Chinese speed,” He said [no pun intended... he he he].

[Andrew Walker]

This is typical of the Western media and yourself attempting to down play the glorious achievements of the Chinese all the while besmirching these three African athletes I feel there is a tinge of jealousy knowing that you could never put yourself into a position where other athletes could wave you by to take first place

[Random Rooster]

Yes i have checked out the video and it all seems legit.

At the 3 second mark one of the African runners point towards what may seem like a direction for the kinezo to go in front- but he was just letting him know that a there's a bend in the road coming up. That's called good sportsmanship.

At that point the kinezo really started to accelerate and the Africans were obviously under pressure keeping up. Just when you thought the Africans were going to go past the kinez he just kept on giving like a juiced up Gai Waterhouse front runner!

What a great finish! Kinez by a short half head x three way deadheat for 2nd 3rd and 4th. The disappointment on the Africans faces was all there to see, but they knew they were beaten be a superior athlete. A race for the ages!!

https://wwos.nine.com.au/videos/beij...0f0hmmxxgjzbic

[King Salvo]

Beijing half marathon winners stripped of medals after African trio let Chinese runner win

Hong KongCNN —

The top four finishers of the Beijing Half Marathon have been stripped of their medals after an investigation found three African runners deliberately slowed down near the finish line to let a Chinese competitor win, according to organizers.

China’s He Jie crossed the finish line of last Sunday’s race in 1:03:44 to claim the gold medal and a $5,500 first prize, with the African trio just one second behind in joint-second place.

A video clip of the finish shows Kenya’s Willy Mnangat turning toward He and gesturing for him to move ahead as the four men run neck and neck. Former 5km world record holder Robert Keter, also from Kenya, then appears to wave at He to overtake the pack while signaling for his compatriot and Ethiopia’s Dejene Hailu to hang back.

The video caused an online uproar in China, with many calling for an investigation and demanding action from organizers.

In a statement Friday, the organizing committee said the three African runners “actively slowed down in the last 2 kilometers and as a result He Jie won the men’s championship.”

All four runners’ results have been revoked and their trophies, medals and bonuses will be withdrawn, it said.

https://edition.cnn.com/2024/04/19/c...hnk/index.html

[Random Rooster]

Beijing half marathon winners stripped of medals after African trio let Chinese runner win

Hong KongCNN —

The top four finishers of the Beijing Half Marathon have been stripped of their medals after an investigation found three African runners deliberately slowed down near the finish line to let a Chinese competitor win, according to organizers.

China’s He Jie crossed the finish line of last Sunday’s race in 1:03:44 to claim the gold medal and a $5,500 first prize, with the African trio just one second behind in joint-second place.

A video clip of the finish shows Kenya’s Willy Mnangat turning toward He and gesturing for him to move ahead as the four men run neck and neck. Former 5km world record holder Robert Keter, also from Kenya, then appears to wave at He to overtake the pack while signaling for his compatriot and Ethiopia’s Dejene Hailu to hang back.

The video caused an online uproar in China, with many calling for an investigation and demanding action from organizers.

In a statement Friday, the organizing committee said the three African runners “actively slowed down in the last 2 kilometers and as a result He Jie won the men’s championship.”

All four runners’ results have been revoked and their trophies, medals and bonuses will be withdrawn, it said.

https://edition.cnn.com/2024/04/19/c...hnk/index.html

Well i dont agree with that decision. If i was that Kinezo runner id appeal!

[ism22]

In other news, Australian marathon runner Jizz Bradbury (who finished 5th) has been awarded the $5500 purse and a large, gold medal.

[Andrew Walker]

In other news, Australian marathon runner Jizz Bradbury (who finished 5th) has been awarded the $5500 purse and a large, gold medal.

Bradbury really is a lucky name Thinking of Bradbury made me realise how much I enjoyed ice skating with my Daughter yesterday