Beijing half-marathon organizers investigating whether competitors let Chinese runner win

Authorities have opened an investigation after video from the finish line at a the Beijing half-marathon raised questions about whether other athletes let a Chinese runner win the race.

A now-viral video shows Kenyan runners Robert Keter and Willy Mnangat and Ethiopian runner Dejene Hailu running in a pack with Chinese runner Jie He, 25. At one point, the runner closest to He appears to wave him over, and He cross their path. They stick in a pack until the very end, when He beats the rest by a mere second. 

He received the the first place medal, while the three other runners tied for second place, BBC Sport reports. Social media users in China criticized the results of the race, prompting officials to open an investigation.

The Beijing Sports Bureau said it is investigating and will announce the results once they are available, AFP reported. CBS News has reached out to the bureau for a statement and is awaiting a response. 

World Athletics, which hosted the half-marathon on Sunday, April 14, said in a statement to CBS News that they are aware of the video and investigation. "The integrity of our sport is the highest priority at World Athletics, while this investigation is ongoing we are unable to provide further comment," the group said.

He, who won the gold medal for the marathon at the 2023 Asian Games, holds the record for China in the event, according to BBC Sport.

One social media user on the Chinese platform Weibo called the half-marathon race "no doubt the most embarrassing title" of He's career. Another said the alleged incident "pushes sportsmanship to the ground in shame."

He and the event are sponsored by Chinese sports brand Xtep, which told Chinese state-owned news site The Paper that the situation is "still being confirmed and verified by multiple parties." 

Source: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/beijing-half-marathon-african-runners-let-chinese-runner-win-cheat-video-investigation-china-he-jie/

Comprehension

What raised questions about the Beijing half-marathon finish line video?
Who were the main runners involved in the pack with Chinese runner Jie He?
How did the race end for Jie He and the other runners?
What action did social media users in China take in response to the race results?
Who is conducting an investigation into the race incident?
When was the half-marathon hosted, and by whom?
What statement did World Athletics provide regarding the investigation?
What is the significance of Jie He's previous achievements in marathon running?

Discussion

How important is fair play and sportsmanship in competitive sports like marathons?
Do you think incidents like this affect the reputation of athletes and the sport itself?
What measures can be taken to ensure fair competition in sports events?
How do you think technology and social media impact the way we view sports events?
Should sponsors play a role in investigating and addressing controversies in sports?
How can athletes maintain their integrity and reputation in the face of such allegations?
What do you think motivates athletes to cheat or engage in unfair practices?
How can the public's perception of athletes and sports events be influenced by incidents like this?

Vocabulary

Investigation - the process of examining a situation or event closely to gather information
Athlete - a person who participates in sports or physical activities competitively
Integrity - the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles
Sponsor - an individual or organization that provides financial support for an event or activity
Embarrassing - causing feelings of self-consciousness or awkwardness
Sportsmanship - fair and generous behavior or treatment of others in a sporting contest
Alleged - claimed or asserted without proof
Reputation - the beliefs or opinions that are generally held about someone or something