Chinese athletics authorities have suspended a race official for one year after he mistakenly blocked the eventual winner from crossing the finish line during a marathon event in Chongqing.
The incident occurred during Sunday’s Chongqing Wanzhou Marathon and quickly went viral on social media, sparking widespread criticism and prompting disciplinary action from the Chongqing Athletics Association.
Video footage shows leading runner Sheng Xueli approaching the finish line unchallenged with a time of approximately 2 hours, 23 minutes, and 52 seconds. Moments before he could cross, a referee wearing a raincoat stepped into his path, extended his arms, and blocked him.
The official then redirected Sheng into a separate lane designated for half-marathon participants, briefly halting his momentum. Sheng was allowed to cross the finish line seconds later, after which he dropped to his knees in celebration, having secured victory despite the disruption.
In a statement issued সোমবার, the Chongqing Athletics Association confirmed that the official, identified only by the surname Zhu, had been suspended from officiating marathon events for one year. The association said the referee had “incorrectly identified an athlete’s category and obstructed an athlete who was running normally as they approached the finish line.”
“This behaviour affected the normal progress of the race and caused a negative social impact,” the statement added, calling on the official to undertake “serious self-reflection” and recognize the responsibilities associated with officiating.
Sheng later addressed the incident in a video shared on Douyin, China’s version of TikTok, describing himself as “completely bewildered” at the moment he was stopped. However, he struck a conciliatory tone, declining to assign blame.
“I understand that the on-site staff may have lacked professional training or a clear grasp of the rules,” he said, while expressing hope that all athletes would be treated with respect in future competitions.
The episode has generated significant online attention, with a related hashtag garnering more than 8.6 million views on Weibo.
The controversy has renewed scrutiny over officiating standards in competitive athletics, particularly in high-profile road races where precision and coordination are critical to ensuring fair outcomes.
