SHANGHAI (Reuters) – The Chinese orienteering team has been disqualified from this year’s Mainland Military World Games over accusations of cheating at an event, an association statement said. international sport.

The International Orienteering Federation (IOF) said in a statement that the middle distance orienteering competition during Sunday’s games was “overshadowed by significant cheating on the part of the Chinese team.” .

Competitors in orienteering, a cross-country race, are tested on their ability to complete a course using only a map and compass. But the IOF said the Chinese team had been helped by local spectators and also used illegal markings and small paths that only they were aware of.

“The jury decided to disqualify all of the Chinese team’s competitors,” IOF said, adding that the Chinese had appealed the decision but without success.

The Chinese runners first took first, second and fourth place for women and second for men. The fastest finishing time is now held by Switzerland’s Matthias Kyburz, but no medals have yet been awarded, said the IOF.

Reuters was unable to immediately reach the organizers of the games, the International Military Sport Council (CISM). The General Administration of Sports of China did not respond to a request for comment sent by fax.

National media have yet to report the incident. A preview of the orienteering events was published in the local newspaper Yangtze Daily, indicating that the Chinese team is expected to succeed through strong “group collaboration.”

The official Wuhan Military Games website (wuhan2019mwg.cn) did not directly refer to the disqualifications, although the names of the Chinese competitors were removed from the final standings.

China’s Weibo microblogging service published only two articles referring to the incident and both citing foreign media.

CISM said in a statement that “misconduct rumors” cannot in any way tarnish the image of the games, “although it is not clear when the statement was released.

The military games, held annually, kicked off in the Chinese city of Wuhan on October 19 after an opening ceremony attended by President Xi Jinping.

Organized under the banner of “Military Glory, World Peace,” the games brought together more than 9,300 military personnel from 109 countries, its official website said.