2 Kenyan Athletes Among Trio Stripped Of Beijing Half-Marathon Medals

KENYAN athletes were stripped of their medals after letting their Chinese opponent win a marathon.

The top three finishers in the Beijing half marathon on Sunday, April 14 have had their places annulled and their medals withdrawn, according to the organizers.

This lawsuit follows an inquiry into the outcome of the race, in which He Jie of China emerged victorious but under controversy.

“Today, the 2024 Beijing Half Marathon Organising Committee issued a decision on the investigation and handling of the men's race results,” claimed the article.

“The trophies, medals, and bonuses will be recovered,” according to the statement. 

In an odd turn of events at the end of the race, Jie won and crossed the finish line first, beating out two Kenyans and one Ethiopian who seemed to have deliberately let him to lead.

Jie, the gold medallist in the marathon at the 2023 Asian Games, won by a few second after his alleged competitors seemed to slow down as they neared the finish line and waved him ahead.

Their grades were revoked and they received punishment.

The Chinese Athletics Association announced earlier this week that they had convened and promised to enhance the sport throughout the nation in a statement.

Jie currently holds the Chinese record for the marathon, having finished at Wuxi on March 24, 2024, with a time of 2:06:57. He runs large distances competitively.