Matt Choi Disqualified from New York Marathon: An Apology and Consequences
Influencer and TikTok star Matt Choi has recently issued an apology following his disqualification and subsequent lifetime ban from the New York Marathon. His actions during the race, which included being accompanied by individuals on bikes filming him, violated event regulations and led to significant repercussions.
Background on Matt Choi
With a substantial following exceeding 400,000 on both TikTok and Instagram, Choi has built a reputation for sharing his running experiences through engaging videos. His popularity soared as he participated in various running events, often documenting his journeys.
The Incident at the New York Marathon
On November 3, during the New York Marathon, Choi completed the distance in under three hours. However, he was disqualified after it was discovered he ran alongside two individuals on electric bikes who filmed him throughout the race. This action breached the marathon’s established protocols, which clearly prohibit any unregistered persons from accompanying participants.
Event Regulations and Response
The rules outlined by New York Road Runners (NYRR) emphasize the integrity of the race, stating that registered runners must comply with stringent guidelines. Following a thorough review, NYRR issued a statement confirming Choi’s disqualification and permanent exclusion from future events:
“After a review and due to violations of World Athletics rules, and New York Road Runners’ Code of Conduct and Rules of Competition, NYRR has disqualified Matt Choi from the 2024 TCS New York City Marathon and removed him from the results.”
An Apology from Choi
Choi took to his Instagram account to express remorse for his actions, acknowledging his “selfishness” during the event. He stated,
“I f**ked up. I have no excuses. I was selfish on Sunday and had my brother and videographer follow me around on e-bikes… I made it about myself.”
Choi openly apologized to fellow runners, recognizing the disruption his actions caused, including interference with others aiming for personal bests and blocking access to essential resources like water stations.
Moving Forward
Despite the opportunity to appeal the ban, Choi has opted not to pursue it, stating, “I made my bed, so I’m gonna lay in it.”He acknowledged that this was not the first time he had faced criticism for using electric bikes for content, promising this would be a lesson learned for the future.
The Broader Context of Marathon Controversies
Choi is not the only marathon runner to attract media attention for unusual reasons. Notably, a participant in the 2023 Boston Marathon gained notoriety when a video of him reportedly relieving himself in a stranger’s yard circulated on TikTok, showcasing the unpredictable nature of marathon-related incidents and the power of social media in amplifying such moments.
For further details on this incident, refer to Dexerto.
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