Chinese authorities accuse ‘certain’ officials of putting profit before safety after ultramarathon tragedy
- The country’s top disciplinary body has ordered an in-depth investigation into the event in Gansu after 21 competitors were killed in freezing mountain weather
- Local authorities across the country have tried to cash in on the boom in endurance sports, but concerns are growing that some event hosts are cutting corners
The Chinese central government and state media have criticised “certain” officials for putting profit above safety when organising extreme sports events after 21 competitors died in an ultramarathon.
The country’s top disciplinary watchdog has also ordered the provincial authorities to carry out an in-depth investigation into Saturday’s event, after runners, most of whom were not carrying warm weather clothing, were hit by icy rain on the mountain trail.
The 100km Yellow River Stone Forest Park event in the northwestern province of Gansu had been billed as one of the most challenging events in Chinese sporting history and attracted a total of 172 competitors.
The competitors faced hail, freezing rain and strong winds on an 8km (5-mile) section of the trail that was the most challenging part of the course and was over 2,000 metres (6,500ft) above sea level. The victims, many of whom suffered hypothermia, included some of the country’s best long-distance runners.
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21 runners die in freezing weather during ultramarathon in northwestern China
According to survivors, there were no supplies available on that section of the course, which involved an 1,000-metre ascent, and they said the terrain was so steep that motorbikes could not reach it.
