Durign the women’s middle-distance orienteering competition. Chinese athletes enjoyed the assistance of local spectators who provided them with unfair advantage

China’s team got itself a slap on the hand for rude violations during the Military World Games hosted in this very country. It happened as other participating countries stated “extensive cheating”, CNN reported.

“Originally the Chinese athletes had taken the first, second and fourth places in the women’s middle-distance orienteering competition, as well as second place in the men’s, during the race on Sunday, according to a statement by the International Orienteering Federation (IOF). But after a complaint by six European countries, including Russia and France, judges discovered that Chinese runners has been assisted by local spectators. This included onlookers placing markings and preparing special paths in the terrain for Chinese athletes, which only those competitors were aware of”, reads the article.

The IOF stated that the Chinese squad was removed from participation in the long-distance orienteering competition. It went on to find out “if any further actions need to be taken to guarantee the fairness of competition at the upcoming World Cup final in Guangzhou, China from October 25”.

Military World Games are the international sports forum held every four years. The first edition took place in Italy in 1995. This year, China debuted as a host.

(c) Unian