Twin sisters have been disqualified from a popular race in central Poland after it was revealed that they had won their individual races by posing as the other.
In a series of runs each featuring a 5-kilometer category and a 10-kilometer category, the sisters traded places at the half-way stage of each race, giving themselves a clear advantage over other competitors.
However, rivals noticed that something was awry. After complaints, organizers analyzed film and photo footage of the races, as well as the running techniques of the two women.
Satisfied by their findings, the organizers stripped the sisters of the titles they had won.
“We had no choice but to disqualify them from the race in [the town of] Dobrzyca,” wrote the organizers on social media, “and since this was part of a wider Grand Prix, and the ladies were high in the rankings, we had to make the decision to ban them from competing” in Saturday’s event in the central Polish town of Pleszew.
They added: “It could have happened that the winners would have won a car. Due to the number of competitors that we have that have been running with us for years, and the children that take part, we do not want to promote unsportsmanlike attitudes.”
Both runners have since admitted their scam and returned their prizes.
However, rivals noticed that something was awry. After complaints, organizers analyzed film and photo footage of the races, as well as the running techniques of the two women.
Satisfied by their findings, the organizers stripped the sisters of the titles they had won.
“We had no choice but to disqualify them from the race in [the town of] Dobrzyca,” wrote the organizers on social media, “and since this was part of a wider Grand Prix, and the ladies were high in the rankings, we had to make the decision to ban them from competing” in Saturday’s event in the central Polish town of Pleszew.
They added: “It could have happened that the winners would have won a car. Due to the number of competitors that we have that have been running with us for years, and the children that take part, we do not want to promote unsportsmanlike attitudes.”
Both runners have since admitted their scam and returned their prizes.
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