SHINee's Minho, at the center of a 'pushing' controversy, voluntarily relinquishes his marathon record [Star Issue]

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

Following an apology over the so-called "pushing" controversy that arose during a marathon race, SHINee member Minho has also voluntarily surrendered his personal record.

The organizer of the "2026 JTBC Seoul Marathon" announced on the 4th that it had accepted Minho's decision to relinquish his record and would not provide an official time for this event. However, as the organizers have deferred a judgment on whether the Masters division regulations, which apply to the amateur category, should be invoked, it was reported that no official disqualification or confirmation of a rule violation has been made.

Previously, Minho bowed his head in apology on his personal social media account on the 3rd, stating, "I am sorry for disappointing many people with my participation in the marathon on November 1."

He continued, "Everything that happened was due to my own shortcomings, and as someone who cherishes and loves sports, I feel deeply ashamed. Once again, I apologize for causing concern."

He added, "I will pay even closer attention to ensure the same incident does not happen again and will strive to always show a good image. I do not accept the result of this marathon either, and I will not forget the lesson learned from this experience."

Finally, Minho added, "I send my respect to the runners who put in effort while shedding countless drops of sweat."

Minho participated in the "2026 JTBC Seoul Marathon" held on the 1st and completed the 42.195 km full course in 3 hours, 0 minutes, and 18 seconds.

With a time just 18 seconds short of "sub-3," which signifies finishing within three hours, Minho had previously shared his impressions on social media along with his completion certificate, writing, "Safe completion of my first full marathon. Failed sub-3 by 18 seconds, but it was still an incredibly valuable experience."

However, controversy erupted after a video filmed during Minho's participation in the marathon spread online. The released footage showed a runner running alongside Minho placing his hands near Minho's back and waist, appearing to push him forward.

In response, some pointed out that receiving physical assistance from another runner while competing could constitute a violation of race regulations.

According to the technical rules of World Athletics, except for cases such as helping a fallen athlete up, an athlete is prohibited from advancing by receiving physical assistance from another competitor.

As the controversy continued, Minho directly expressed his apology and conveyed his stance that he would not accept his marathon result.

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original