We Were Pacesetters' Kenyan Claims After Deliberately Letting Chinese Runner Win Marathon

 

Kenyan athlete Willy Mnangat has found himself at the center of controversy following allegations that he and two others facilitated China's He Jie's victory in the Beijing Half Marathon. Mnangat, along with Robert Keter and Dejene Hailu, maintains that they were contracted as pacesetters to assist Jie in breaking the Chinese half-marathon record. 

In an interview with BBC Sport Africa, Mnangat clarified that their role was to set the pace for Jie, not to compete for the title themselves. He expressed surprise when his name appeared on the bib, emphasizing that he should have been identified as a pacemaker to avoid confusion.

Despite their efforts, Jie fell short of breaking the national record but secured the victory with a time of 1:03:44. Mnangat expressed disappointment, stating, "My job was to set the pace and help the guy win but unfortunately, he did not achieve the target."

The situation escalated when a video of the trio guiding Jie to the finish line went viral, sparking speculation and leading to an investigation by the Beijing organizers. Mnangat, the only athlete among the trio to speak out publicly, admitted to letting Jie win because of their friendship.

The controversy has drawn attention from World Athletics, with the organization emphasizing the importance of integrity in the sport. While investigations are ongoing, they refrained from further comment, underscoring the seriousness of the matter.

For Jie, the allegations have stirred backlash from fans who fear for his reputation and career. As the 2023 Asian Games marathon gold medalist, the implications of these accusations could have far-reaching consequences.