Saturday 12 June 2021

Update on China marathon: Officials punished over runner deaths

 

 
Authorities in China have punished 27 government officials over the deaths of 21 ultra-marathon runners last month.  Athletes taking part in the 100km (60-mile) ultramarathon in Gansu province were hit by high winds and freezing rains.
According to state media, those who died had suffered from hypothermia.
In the wake of the incident, China announced it was suspending all high risk sports events lacking clear oversight, rules and safety standards.
A report into the race, released on Friday, said "non-standard and unprofessional event operations led to the accident". Following the report's release, state-run media outlet Xinhua announced that the head of Jingtai County, where the race took place, had been removed from her post.
The local mayor and the Communist Party chief of the city of Baiyin have also been disciplined. Other officials were given warnings and demerit ratings.
Zhang Xiaoyan, owner of the company that organised the race, has been detained and faces criminal charges.
Separately, the government has also announced that Jingtai Party Chief Li Zuobi died in what Xinhua described as an apparent suicide.

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