Brooks China Dumps Fitness Influencer After Marathon Bike Ride Scandal

Chinese fitness influencer Sun Yuanyuan, known as Abeeeer on social media, has been dropped by her sponsor after she apologized for riding a bicycle during the Berlin marathon. Sun claimed a personal best during the event, but her actions have raised concerns about the integrity of the sport.

This was held in September, but an Instagram page monitoring inaccurate race times, the Official Marathon Time Integrity Unit (OMTIU), posted a picture showing her on a bicycle between the 35km and 40km marks.

Brooks, the running shoe company, has ended its sponsorship deal with Sun and her finish time has been disqualified by the marathon organizers. Sun admitted to "breaking the rules" and said she "deliberately concealed" her actions. The incident has sparked a wider conversation about the use of GPS-based technology in racing.

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With OMTIU highlighting the growing trend of GPS-based fabrication among marathon runners, particularly fitness influencers.

According to the Berlin Marathon's official website, the event took place on September 24th. Sun's finish time was 3 hours and 12 minutes, which was initially reported as a personal best. The discrepancy has raised questions about the accuracy of finish times in professional racing.

Brooks, China stated., "Running should be grounded in integrity, fairness, and respect for competition." The company terminated its relationship with Sun and publicly addressed the matter, citing a need to uphold the values of the sport. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of fair play and transparency in competitive racing.

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The Berlin Marathon organizers have not responded to BBC News' requests for comment on the incident. OMTIU has not commented on further action against Sun or other influencers. The case is a wake-up call for the running community.

This highlights the need for greater scrutiny and accountability in the use of technology in racing.

Sun's Instagram account, once a platform for promoting her athletic achievements, now appears to be a focal point for scrutiny. The page has been flooded with comments and messages, with many calling for greater transparency and accountability in the sport.