Chinese Military Team kicked out of ‘World Military Games’ in China for ‘extensive cheating’
A Chinese team has been disqualified from the ongoing Military World Games (MWG), which the country is hosting, after it was accused of “extensive cheating” by other participating nations.
Like the Olympics, the Military World Games are held every four years. The inaugural competition was held in Rome, Italy, in 1995.
Initially, the home team had taken the first, second and fourth positions in the women’s middle-distance orienteering competition, and the second place in the men’s category.
But it was soon discovered that the Chinese competitors received help from some local spectators, who placed markings and prepared small paths in the terrain for them during Sunday’s race, according to a statement by the International Orienteering Federation (IOF), which governs the rules for MWG.
The competition was “unfortunately overshadowed by extensive cheating by the Chinese team,” it added.
Teams of several countries, including Russia, Switzerland, France, Belgium, Poland and Austria, protested and the jury decided to disqualify the Chinese team.
The home team appealed against the jury’s decision before the International Military Sports Council (CISM), but the IOF upheld the disqualification.
“It was initially announced by the MWG2019 Organising Committee that the long distance competition would be cancelled in its entirety, but following negotiations with CISM, it was reinstated in the programme without the participation of the Chinese team,” the IOF said.
IOF mulling sanctions on Chinese team ::
The IOF said it takes the actions of the Chinese team “very seriously”. “The IOF will be investigating together with CISM how sanctions may be applied to those involved in the improper activities,” its statement said.
China’s Ministry of National Defense held a press conference earlier this month, stating that a total of 9,308 athletes from 109 countries will compete in Wuhan, setting a record for the most number of athletes participating in the event.
As the host, China has fielded a record-setting contingent of 553 servicemen and women. As many as 406 Chinese athletes will compete in 26 sports, except.
In its previous outings, the Chinese team finished runners-up on the medal tally four times and secured the third place twice.
