Controversy Surrounding Chinese Runner's Victory in Beijing Half Marathon

Chinese runner He Jie's win at the Beijing Half Marathon is under investigation following concerns raised by Chinese internet users. They suspect that the victory may not have been fairly earned, as it seemed that three African runners intentionally slowed down to allow He Jie to cross the finish line first.

In a video capturing the final moments of the race, Kenya's Willy Mnangat can be seen turning towards He Jie and signaling for him to take the lead. This gesture occurred as the four runners were running closely together towards the end of the race.

Former 5km world record-holder Robert Keter from Kenya seemed to gesture for He to move ahead and for his fellow Kenyan, Dejene Hailu from Ethiopia, to stay back.

He, the Chinese runner, finished the race in 1:03:44, winning the $5,500 first prize. The African trio finished just one second later, sharing the second place.

The video clip captures the African runners congratulating He for his win and giving him pats on the back. On the other hand, the Asian Games marathon champion seems less excited despite achieving victory in his first competitive half marathon.

He, who is 25 years old, has set China's marathon record twice in the last two years. In a post-race interview, he mentioned that he was not feeling his best in terms of competitiveness, but he did not comment on the disputed finish.

Some Chinese internet users are urging for an investigation into the race, while others are calling for action from the organizers.

One user on the social platform Weibo expressed their belief that the fairness of competition in sports should not be compromised by the "ways of the world". They emphasized that fairness is a fundamental aspect of the sporting spirit.

One user expressed support for an investigation, emphasizing the importance of fair play. They hoped that authorities would provide a clear explanation to ensure fairness in competition and show respect for athletes' efforts.

Chinese state media reported that race organizers, the Beijing Municipal Sports Bureau and Chinese Athletics Association, have acknowledged receiving feedback. They stated that the feedback will be further processed.

Chinese sports company Xstep, a sponsor of both He and the Beijing Half Marathon, informed The Paper, a Chinese state-run outlet, that they are currently investigating the situation with the help of multiple parties.

Xstep stated in a message to the outlet that they will provide additional information as soon as it becomes available.

CNN has tried to get in touch with the organizers, Mnangat’s representative, and Hailu’s running club for a comment. However, CNN has not been able to reach He and Keter.

There are some observers who believe that the ending of the race appeared to be out of the ordinary.

According to sports analyst Mark Dreyer, author of “Sporting Superpower: An Insider’s View on China’s Quest to Be the Best,” it's not a good look, no matter how you look at it.

Dreyer mentioned that while it's common for runners to cross the finish line together as a display of sportsmanship, the recent incident did not reflect that.

He Jie is not just any ordinary runner. Hailing from northwest China's Ningxia region, he is known as one of the country's top long-distance runners. In fact, he is ranked 77th in the world in men's marathon by World Athletics. It is expected that he will be the leading force for Asian runners at the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics.

“He Jie is elite,” Dreyer said. “He doesn’t need charity like this.”

Editor's P/S:

The Beijing Half Marathon's controversial finish has sparked outrage among Chinese netizens and raised concerns about the integrity of the race. The video footage showing the African runners appearing to slow down and allow Chinese runner He Jie to win has ignited accusations of unfair play. The lack of enthusiasm from He after the victory further fueled speculation.

The incident has not only tarnished the reputation of the race but also raised questions about the fairness of competition in Chinese sports. Some observers believe that the organizers may have been involved in the manipulation of the result to boost He's chances in upcoming events like the Paris Olympics. The investigation launched by the race organizers and Chinese Athletics Association is crucial in determining the truth and ensuring that the sporting spirit is upheld. The outcome of this investigation will have a significant impact on the credibility of Chinese athletics and the perception of fair play in the country.