On February 4, 2021, I wrote a blog post titled RealHero. I had described how a Spanish cross-country runner helped a Kenyan runner (who was leading the race but not know where the finish line was) to win the race. The Spanish runner could have won by overtaking him. But he did not do that.
Here is just an opposite incident.
Year 1999. Comrades
Marathon is a grueling ultramarathon race.
The distance is 90 kilometers (56.1 miles). It is held in South Africa. More than 20,000 people start but 95% of them
could not finish.
Here comes our friend Sergio Motsoeneng. He is from an impoverished Central Eastern
South Africa. He came is 8th
and won US$1,000. Fellow Runner Nick
Bester complained he never saw Sergio passed him in the final stretch. The race officials dismissed that charge.
But a reporter for the African newspaper The Beeld decided
to investigate it. He looked at several
photographs. Finally discovered the
runner had his watch in his right wrist in some photos and in different photos
his watch was in his left wrist. Also,
he had a scar on his left shin and in other photos there was no scar.
It turned out the runner Sergio has an identical twin
brother. They both switched running the
race every 10 kilometer. One would duck
into a porta-potty and his identical twin brother would be waiting there
inside. Then the other guy would run 10
kilometers and switch places. Sergio removed his shirt, bib, hat,
and even shoes, and gave them to his brother, who continued the race.
They were caught. Money was taken away from them. They were banned for 5 years from competing
in any race.
They said poverty was
their reason for cheating.
I guess moral of the story is Alls fair in Love, War and Poverty...I would have investigated the truth about their poor circumstances and let them keep the money but banned them from competing....
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments Dee. I beg to differ with you. If they gave the 8th price of $1,000 to him and not the real 8th place finisher, the real winner of 8th place will not get that $1,000. Who knows he may also be a poor person.
DeleteA similar incident of faking happened few years ago by an Indian couple who faked conquering mount everest.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-56021135
Thanks for your comments Madhu. And, welcome to my blog. Looks like cheating happens all over the world.
DeleteMadhu, please come here as often as possible. Thanks.
A few look-alike twins I knew (when I was a kid) used to take advantage of their similar looks and play pranks on others... that was fun, but this is wrong.
ReplyDeleteDestination Infinity
Thanks for your comments Rajesh. Pranks are fine and enjoyable. But cheating in an international athletic event is bad.
DeleteIf such a huge prize money was at stake, the participants should have been tracked, as is normally done. In such acts, nemesis isn't too far away.
ReplyDeleteCheating is not acceptable, but it shows that both the brothers crossed the destination from starting point maintaining a winnable speed. If they had taken the aid of any automobile to keep up the tempo, it should be paid its due. If happened so, the deceit would have been caught by the authorities. Since only 95% get through, all those may be considered as winners, allotting positions in series.
ReplyDelete