Beijing marathon to take Japanese runners after reported snub

Beijing marathon organisers have reversed a decision to refuse Japanese runners, Chinese state media said on Sunday,  following  earlier reports that they were barred.

Japan’s media had reported that the runners were previously banned from  taking part in the November 25 event due to concerns for their safety amid a  territorial spat, but that the decision was later reversed.

China’s Xinhua news agency, however, quoted an official as saying that the  athletes had never been prevented from participating.

According to Japan’s Yomiuri Shimbun daily and Jiji Press, Chinese officials updated the marathon’s website to include “Japan” in the list for  applicant’s nationality after the Japanese embassy in Beijing protested over  the omission.

But Shen Chunde, deputy director of the Chinese Athletic Association, said  the initial lack of a “Japan” option was due to an administrative oversight.

“As far as last year’s registration [was] concerned, it was rare that  Japanese runners signed up online individually. Basically they applied through  Japanese enterprises,” Shen told Xinhua.