China imposes ban on long-distance athlete who paused during race to snap photos

A two-year ban has been imposed on two marathon runners in China, one for stopping to pose in a split position and another for hoarding energy gels, according to the local athletic association's announcement on Thursday.

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The incidents in question occurred during Sunday's marathon in Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province, and quickly gained widespread attention online.

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A video captured the moment a female runner, identified by her surname Wang, came to a sudden halt and dropped into a perfect split position, arms raised in a heart shape, apparently for the sake of a photograph.

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The Sichuan Athletics Association stated that Wang had committed obstructive fouls during the race, thereby affecting the safety of other participating runners.

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A widely shared photo also depicted a male runner, surnamed Zhang, wearing a neon yellow top and carrying a transparent backpack overflowing with energy gels and other food supplies, all of which were allegedly taken from supply stations during the race.

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The association accused Zhang of having "illegally taken a large quantity of race supplies for personal use", prompting the decision to ban both runners from participating in Sichuan marathons for a period of two years.

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This measure aims to enforce discipline, maintain a fair competitive environment, and ensure the safe and orderly conduct of events, as stated by the association.

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As a result, both runners have been disqualified from Sunday's race, and their actions have sparked a significant reaction on social media.

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Footage of the incidents has garnered up to three million views on China's Weibo micro-blogging platform, prompting a social media backlash, with one user calling for a permanent ban from all marathon races.

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Another user described the behavior as "manifestations of extreme selfishness", highlighting the strong public reaction to the incidents.

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This is not an isolated incident, as China's rapidly growing marathon scene has been marred by previous controversies, including a race official being suspended for a year after mistakenly blocking the eventual winner from crossing the finish line at an event in Chongqing.

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Past incidents have also included marathon runners using rental bikes to take shortcuts, further underscoring the need for improved discipline and regulation in the sport.