Kenyan runner Muteti understands compatriots’ Beijing Half Marathon dilemma, but says ‘race fixing cannot be tolerated’
- Lukas Wambua Muteti says race manipulation is nothing new, cites episode from 1999 when compatriot lost US$1 million
- Kenyan’s mum had begged him to return home after five years without income; he used first racing cheque to buy parents a cow
Kenyan distance runner Lukas Wambua Muteti understands how compatriots Willy Manangat and Robert Keter got caught up in the mess of the Beijing Half Marathon.
The pair, who had apparently been hired as pacers but were entered into the race as athletes, were stripped of their medals and any prize money for allowing China’s He Jie to win the race.
Officials finally acted last Friday, also punishing Ethiopia’s Dejene Hailu Bikila, after a week of questions and suspicion over the event on April 14.
Muteti said “race manipulation” was not uncommon, and cited an incident from more than 20 years ago as an example of how agreements between runners could even happen on the move.
The 39-year-old highlighted a race in Zurich in 1999, when Kenyan steeplechaser Bernard Barmasai was targeting a fifth straight Golden League victory, a feat worth a US$1 million bonus.
With Christopher Koskei controlling the race, Barmasai was seen to whisper in his compatriot’s ear, before securing the win. The sport’s IAAF governing body ultimately denied Barmasai the jackpot.
