to run
Willy Mnangat, Robert Keter and Dejene Hailu Bikila look at He Jie, He Jie looks at the finish. — © Reuters
The Chinese He Jie won the Beijing half marathon last Sunday, but the question remains whether he can enjoy it afterward. After all, an investigation has been started into the finish: three African runners clearly held back to help the home runner win.
Tuesday 16 April 2024 at 17:26
Point out the finish line, encourage it, say something else, remind the others not to go too fast: Kenyan Willy Mnangat, his compatriot Robert Keter and Ethiopian Dejene Hailu Bikila were clearly not trying to win the Beijing half marathon on Sunday. They walked next to Asian champion He Jie, who was visibly nervous. While the three Africans held back a little more in the last meters, the Chinese runner crossed the finish line first with a clenched fist and a grimace.
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The images quickly went around the world and caused outrage in the athletics world. Questions arise about possible bribery. Mnangat has now more or less admitted that he let He go first, but does not think he did anything wrong. “He is my friend,” Mnangat told the South China Morning Post. Asked if he was letting He win, he initially said “yes,” but then changed his story and said he was only running to set the pace for He – not for the prizes. According to him, his bib number should not have had his name on it, but should have said “pace” (as is customary for hares). Mnangat noted that the hoped-for goal was not achieved, as the intention was for He to break the national record in the half marathon. The Chinese won in 1:03:44, while the record is 1:02:33.
The organization is considering the results of the race and says it is investigating the finish. The World Athletics Federation also responded: “We are aware of the images and understand that an investigation is currently underway by the relevant local authorities.”
“The integrity of sport is the highest priority at World Athletics, but while this investigation is ongoing we cannot comment further.”
