Update: Beijing half-marathon top three are stripped of their medals after three African race leaders appeared to slow down before the finish line to let Chinese runner win

The top three in the Beijing half-marathon have had their medals stripped after three African race leaders appeared to slow down before the finish line to let a Chinese runner win.

According to Reuters, winner He Jie and three African runners had their results cancelled after an investigation found that the trio allowed the Chinese athlete to finish first.

He had won the race in China’s capital with a time of 1:03.44, ahead of Ethiopian Dejene Hailu Bikila and Kenyans Robert Keter and Willy Mnangat who all finished joint second. 

The organising committee said in a statement that the three African runners ‘actively slowed down in the last two kilometres and as a result, He Jie won the men’s championship.’

They added that the ‘trophies, medals and bonuses will be recovered.’