A Chinese marathon runner who went viral in 2022 after being photographed smoking during a race was disqualified for his habit under the Chinese Athletics Association’s (CAA) new rule against "uncivilized behavior." What happened: Uncle Chen, known online as “Smoking Brother,” returned to running at the 2024 Xiamen Marathon in Fujian province on Jan. 7 after a two-year hiatus, finishing the 26.2-mile (42.1-kilometer) race in three hours and 33 minutes. The committee cited Article 2.12 in the CAA's new Xiamen Marathon rules in its decision.
Photos of Uncle Chen chain-smoking around the course quickly went viral but the Xiamen Marathon committee announced his disqualification for violating marathon rules