Half marathon scandal turned into political hot potato

Organisers of the Beijing half marathon are investigating allegations that three African athletes deliberately allowed China’s star runner, He Jie, to win Sunday’s race.

Footage appeared to show Kenya’s Robert Keter and Willy Mnangat and Ethiopia’s Dejene Hailu pointing to the line and slowing down before waving past He.

Mnangat has confessed to the race fixing.

He says they were contracted to help He break the Chinese half-marathon record of 1:02:33.

According to Mnangat, one of them did not finish the race.

The 25-year-old He, who has broken China’s marathon record twice in the past two years, has told reporters that he was not in his best competitive state during the race.

He, however, he did not address his controversial finish, having clocked in at 1:03:44 to claim the R104 575.63 ($5,500) first prize.

The result has been criticised by some Chinese social media users, while some Africans under the post below – say the scandal just shows what China is currently doing on the continent. Written by Ray Mabawa 

Africa letting China win the global economy by giving them cheap minerals and raw materials. pic.twitter.com/WuD70rmqL2

— Africa Research Desk (@MightiJamie) April 16, 2024

U.S. diplomacy and foreign policy is

“Give me control of your resources, do business with who we say, live how we say, govern how we say, or we will bomb you, overthrow your Govt, sanction you, cause chaos in your country or even kill your leader”

I wonder why China is winning

— Black in the Empire (@blackintheempir) April 16, 2024