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 moments of last 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.
“We deeply and sincerely apologize to the world and to every part of society, that we did not discover and correct the mistakes in time at this race,” the committee said. Zhong’ao Lupao Sports Management Co, the main organizer, is losing its right to host the Beijing Half Marathon as punishment.
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