BANGKOK (AP) — Organizers have revoked He Jie’s first place in the Beijing Half Marathon last weekend after an investigation confirmed that three other runners had slowed down to let him win the race.
All four runners were disqualified and had to return their medals and award money.
Chinese online users had shared the video from the final moment s of Sunday’s race out of suspicion that it had been rigged. The footage showed three African runners letting He, China’s top long-distance runner, move ahead of them shortly before they were about to reach the finish line.
The three runners deliberately reduced their pace, according to a statement from a committee set up to investigate the race.
The special committee said that four runners had originally been hired as pacemakers by a sponsor but that the main organizers of the race had not known this. One of the pacemakers didn’t finish the race.
Paedophile hunter reveals he caught his wife's cousin trying to meet up with children online
Hong Kong lawmaker's petition opposing Gay Games is prejudiced, activist says
Hainan island: Known as 'China's Hawaii,' the vacation hotspot is also a strategic military base
Trump faces jail threat over gag order as prosecutors zero in on transactions at heart of the case
Russia's presidential vote starts final day with accusations of Kyiv sabotage
Russia's presidential vote starts final day with accusations of Kyiv sabotage
VOX POPULI: Some celebrate while others ponder time and space on leap day