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Possible New Race Walk Standards Coming from IAAFPublished by
Possible New Distances Coming for Race WalkBy Adam KopetThe IAAF Race Walking Committee has recommended changes to the global championships program for race walk. Top on the list of changes is to transition from the current distances of 20- and 50-kilometer race distances and drop them to 10- and 30-kilometer distances. This transition would begin in 2021, with 20- and 30-kilometer distances used at the IAAF World Outdoor Championships in Eugene. The new distances of 10 and 30 kilometers would then be used after 2021. The race distance changes would not affect the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. The men's 20 and 50-kilometer events are already on the program. The women are set to compete over 20 kilometers and the IAAF has requested the 50-kilometer distance be added for women for gender equity. Also recommended by the Committee is the adoption of RWECS electronic chip insole technology beginning in 2021, which provides data about foot strikes and would make judging the competition potentially easier and more transparent. At this point, these are only recommendations made by the Race Walk Committee. They will be reviewed and voted on at the IAAF Council Meeting next month. More news |