He Jie, China’s top long-distance runner, faced a major setback after being stripped of his first-place medal from the Mengniu Beijing Half Marathon. The decision came after an investigation revealed that three African runners had intentionally slowed down to let He pass, sparking controversy in the running community.
Footage from the race went viral, showing He trailing behind runners from Kenya and Ethiopia. The group of African runners later admitted that they were acting as pacemakers for He, rather than competing against him.
An investigation found that the pacemakers had been invited by a race sponsor without the knowledge of the main organizers. As a result, all four runners, including He, were disqualified and forced to return their medals and prize money. The main organizer also lost its right to host future events.
He Jie, who previously won the Asian Games men’s marathon and holds the Chinese national record in the event, finished the race with a time of one hour, three minutes, and 44 seconds. Despite this setback, He remains a top contender in the running world.
The incident has sparked discussions about sportsmanship and fair play in competitive events. Fans and athletes alike are questioning the role of pacemakers in races and the responsibility of organizers to ensure a level playing field for all participants.
As He Jie navigates this controversy, the running community will be watching closely to see how he bounces back from this unexpected turn of events.
