China’s orienteering team has been disqualified from this year’s Military World Games hosted by the mainland following accusations of cheating at an event, according to a statement by the sport’s international association.

The International Orienteering Federation (IOF) said in a statement that the middle-distance orienteering competition at the games on Sunday had been “overshadowed by extensive cheating by the Chinese team”.

Competitors in orienteering, a cross-country race, are tested on their ability to complete a course using only a map and a compass.

But the IOF said the Chinese team had been helped by local spectators and had also made use of illegal course markings and small paths only they were aware of.

“The jury decided to disqualify all competitors in the Chinese team,” IOF said, adding the Chinese appealed the decision but were unsuccessful.

Competitors are all serving solders. Photo: Getty

Chinese runners initially came in first, second and fourth place among the women and second among the men.

Domestic media have not yet reported the incident.

But a preview of the orienteering events was published in the local Yangtze Daily newspaper, saying the Chinese team was expected to be successful due to strong “group collaboration”.

The military games, held every year, kicked off in the Chinese city of Wuhan on October 19 after an opening ceremony attended by President Xi Jinping.

Held under the banner of “Military Glory, World Peace”, the games have featured more than 9300 military personnel from 109 nations, its official website said.