According to state media, the organizers of a 2021 ultramarathon in north-west China, where 21 runners passed away due to severe weather conditions, have been given prison sentences for their involvement.
According to the state-run news agency Xinhua, a court in Baiyin, a city in Gansu province where the fatal incident took place, sentenced five people to prison terms of three to five and a half years for their roles in organizing the event.
In May of 2021, a cross-country mountain race spanning 100km (equivalent to 62 miles) resulted in fatalities due to harsh weather conditions including freezing rain, strong winds, and hail.
According to Xinhua, the five individuals were found guilty of arranging a large event that resulted in a serious safety issue.
An official in the provincial capital of Lanzhou received a four-year and 10-month sentence for “dereliction of duty and bribery”, while another official received a three-and-a-half-year sentence for “dereliction of duty” alone, according to Xinhua.
In recent years, China has seen a rise in popularity for long-distance running and other extreme sports, as the government encourages people of all ages to stay active. However, there have been recurring issues due to poor organization.
The fatalities in 2021 prompted inquiries as to why event organizers seemed to disregard the imminent severe weather conditions, resulting in renewed demands for stricter regulations regarding athletic competitions.
Following the fatalities, the Ministry of Sport in Beijing declared that activities lacking national safety regulations would be put on hold. This includes mountain trail running, wingsuit flying, and ultra-long distance running.
Source: theguardian.com
