Organisers of a 2021 ultramarathon in north-west China during which 21 runners died in extreme weather conditions have been sentenced to years in prison for their roles, state media reported.
Five individuals involved in planning the ill-fated event were given jail terms ranging from three to five and a half years by a court in Baiyin, a city in Gansu, the province where the deaths occurred, the state news agency Xinhua reported late on Friday.
In May 2021, the 100km (62-mile) cross-country mountain race turned deadly as freezing rain, high winds and hail hit the competitors.
The five defendants were convicted for “organising a large-scale event that led to a significant safety incident”, said Xinhua.
In the provincial capital, Lanzhou, an official was sentenced to four years and 10 months for “dereliction of duty and bribery”, and another to three and a half years for “dereliction of duty” alone, Xinhua added.
Survivors and bereaved seek answers after 21 deaths in China ultramarathon
Long-distance running and other extreme sports have been booming in China in recent years, as the government promotes exercise for all ages, though slipshod organisation has repeatedly caused problems.
The 2021 deaths raised questions over why organisers apparently ignored the incoming extreme weather and led to renewed calls for tighter laws surrounding sporting events.
After the deaths, Beijing’s sport ministry announced that events without national safety standards would be suspended, including mountain trail running, wingsuit flying and ultra-long distance running.
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