Kenya duo of Robert Keter and Willy Mnangat, and Ethiopia’s Dejene Hailu Bikila have been stripped of their medals and prizes at the Beijing Half Marathon.
After launching an investigation into a viral video from the April 14 race , the organising committee of the annual athletics event in Beijing found the trio guilty of deliberately slowing down doe China’s He Jie to win the race.
Chinese marathon record holder, He Jie claimed the $5,500 prize money after crossing the finish line in 1:03:44, a second ahead of the African trio who finished joint-second.
In the video, former 5km world record holder Robert Keter and his compatriot were spotted to be waving for He to overtake them as they slowed down in the final 2km.
3 African Athletes let Chinese Runner, He Jie win the 2024 Beijing Half Marathon.
He finished first with a time of 1:03:44.
Dejene Hailu Bikila 🇪🇹, Robert Keter 🇪🇹 and Willy Mnangat 🇰🇪 finished second with a time of 1:03:45.
Willy said he let him win because he is his friend. pic.twitter.com/NoZAJ553G6
— Africa Facts Zone (@AfricaFactsZone) April 16, 2024
The organising committee of the Beijing Half Marathon confirmed that the results of the four athletes have been revoked with their medals and bonuses withdrawn.
The report of the investigation further revealed that the African trio were invited to the race as pacemakers by Chinese sports company and event sponsors, Xtep but they did not inform the event organiser, Zhong’ao Lupao Beijing Sports Management company, prior to the race.
Both entities were also sanctioned as Xtep will no longer be able to sponsor any race again this season while the race operator loses its rights to host future Beijing Half Marathon events.
