China bans marathon runner for stopping mid-race to pose for photos

Two runners have been handed a two-year ban after their actions during a marathon in Chengdu sparked widespread reactions online, local athletics officials said on Thursday.

The incidents took place during Sunday’s race in the southwestern Chinese city, the capital of Sichuan, where participants were expected to follow standard competition rules.

One of the runners, a woman, drew attention after she suddenly stopped mid-race, dropped to the ground, and performed a full split.

In videos that quickly circulated online, she was seen raising her arms in a heart shape while appearing to pose for a photograph.

Another runner was also penalised for collecting and keeping multiple energy gels meant for use during the race, an act considered against competition guidelines.

The local athletics association said both individuals have now been banned from participating in races for two years due to their actions, which disrupted the spirit and fairness of the marathon.

“(She) committed obstructive fouls during the race, affecting the safe participation of other runners,” the Sichuan Athletics Association said in a statement, which identified the runner by her surname, Wang.

A viral photo also showed a man in a neon yellow top carrying a transparent drawstring backpack packed to the brim with packets of energy gels and other food supplies, all apparently taken from supply stations during the race.

The male runner, surnamed Zhang, had “illegally taken a large quantity of race supplies for personal use”, the association said.

Both have been banned from marathons in Sichuan for two years, it said.

This was to “enforce race discipline, maintain a fair competition environment… and ensure the safe and orderly conduct of events”.

Both runners were also disqualified from Sunday’s race.

Footage of the incidents attracted up to three million views on China’s Weibo micro-blogging platform and sparked a social media backlash.

“These people should be permanently banned from participating in all marathon races,” one angry user said.

“All (these are) manifestations of extreme selfishness,” another user posted.

It is just the latest incident to hit China’s fast-growing marathon scene.

A race official was suspended for a year this month after he mistakenly blocked the eventual winner from crossing the finish line at an event in Chongqing.

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