Chinese runner He Jie’s victory in the Beijing Half Marathon is under scrutiny after a controversial finish sparked speculation among social media users.
Despite crossing the finish line first on Sunday (April 14), the integrity of He Jie’s win has been questioned after footage of the race appears to show three African runners intentionally slowing down to allow the Chinese national to snatch the win.
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In a video clip circulating on social media, it appears as if Kenyan runner Willy Mnangat even gestures for He Jie to move ahead just feet from the finish line, followed by Robert Keter and Ethiopia’s Dejene Hailu also seemingly signaling for He Jie to take the lead.
Despite crossing the finish line first in 1:03:44 - and claiming the $5,500 first-place prize - He Jie's win has stirred debate due to the unusual circumstances, especially as the African trio all finished in joint-second place just ONE SECOND behind.
He Jie, a prominent figure in China's long-distance running scene, broke the country's marathon record twice in recent years. However, his victory in this year's Beijing Half Marathon has raised eyebrows, with some questioning the fairness of the race.
He Jie (pictured in 2023), is now under investigation. Credit: VCG / Getty
As reported by CNN, He Jie told reporters after the race that he "was not in [his] best competitive state", but did not address the bizarre circumstances surrounding his victory.
On the popular Chinese social media platform Weibo, internet users have called for an investigation into the matter, with one person writing (translated): "I support an investigation, and fair play is vital."
A second added: "The so-called ‘ways of the world’ should not taint the fairness of competition in sports. Fairness is always at the core of sporting spirit."
And over on X, there were multiple users who believed the race had been "rigged".
The Beijing Municipal Sports Bureau and Chinese Athletics Association have responded to the uproar, stating they are taking the issue seriously and conducting an investigation.
Xstep, the sports company sponsoring He Jie and the Beijing Half Marathon, acknowledged the situation and stated that they are collaborating with multiple parties to also verify the validity of the contest. "Further information will be communicated as soon as possible," the company said in a statement.
He Jie will now prepare for the upcoming Paris Olympics. Credit: Zhizhao Wu / Getty
World Athletics, the sport’s international governing body, has also acknowledged the footage circulating online and expressed its commitment to upholding the integrity of the sports. "The integrity of our sport is the highest priority at World Athletics," the body stated.
Despite the scrutiny, He Jie will now focus on preparations for the upcoming Paris 2024 Summer Olympics.
