Chinese long‑distance runner Sun Yuanyuan was dropped by her sponsor after images emerged showing her riding on the back of another person’s bicycle for part of the Berlin Marathon.
The photographs, taken during the race in Germany’s capital, captured Sun perched on a bike as the marathon progressed, indicating she received external assistance while the event was underway.
Following the incident, Sun’s sponsor announced the termination of their sponsorship agreement with the athlete, citing a breach of the sport’s regulations and the sponsor’s own standards of conduct.
Riding a bicycle during a marathon contravenes the rules governing elite road races, which prohibit any form of external aid that could give a competitor an unfair advantage. The Berlin Marathon is one of the World Marathon Majors and attracts top international runners.
The episode underscores the heightened scrutiny athletes face from both governing bodies and commercial partners, reinforcing the expectation that competitors adhere strictly to race regulations.
<small>Source: BBC News — read the original story there.</small>
