Allegations Of Impersonation In New Delhi Marathon, Runners Banned (image:www.apollotyres.com)
New Delhi: Three runners have been banned over allegation of impersonation via “bib switch” had made against them while taking part in the Apollo Tyres New Delhi Marathon race. A case pertaining to cheating has been placed against a sports quota railway employee who reportedly ran for the wife of a railway doctor and another participant.
It was while observing the timing of the railway doctor’s wife, who participated in the full marathon, has suspected the foul play. As the runner was slow for nearly three-fourth of the race, a dramatic spike in the run was witnessed thereafter. The organisers shared the photographs of the sports quota employee wearing her bib during the time of the race where the running pace was faster.
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The event organised by NEB Sports told the Indian Express that running for someone else equals to cheating and the race management team has taken stern action against them by banning them for two years. They have also told that they would make the news public via social media, so as to topple such cases in the future.
In marathons, the timing of the participants were recorded through a chip, usually a transponder or RFID tag, tagged to the bib on the runner’s chest. The readings observed at the start and finish of the race in the scanner decides the time taken by the runner to finish the race.
“There were incidents of cheating during the Apollo New Delhi Marathon (in the non-elite categories). We have suspended the three athletes involved. We will be submitting our report to the Athletics Federation of India on Monday. The Federation can take further action as they wish,” Nagaraj Adiga, CMD of NEB Sports and the race director told the Indian Express.
The sports quota employee or doctor’s wife responded to the incident. Meanwhile, railway doctor responded, and has refuted taking any action against them. He tells that her wife fell unconscious after 34 km and the sports quota employee ran with her bib mistakenly. They have clarifies this stand, and her wife has not been banned. “We have asked, and the NEB has removed the data of her performance from their website,” he added.
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The New Delhi Marathon, approved by Athletics Federation of India took place at the iconic Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on February 23. Marking 10th edition, the marathon witnessed a massive turnout of over 20,000 participants over various categories including Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K, and 5K.
” . . . The National Marathon assumes a role beyond just a race, evolving into a platform where individuals showcase their inner strength and endurance. This national championship event serves as a crucial qualifier for the Paris Olympics, elevating its significance on the global stage,” the website reads.
