No Respect For Olympic Racewalking

Walking is a noble sport that has been a part of the Olympic Games since 1906. Nevertheless, broadcasters and sports pundits cannot resist taking a jab at racewalking. Bob Costas of NBC was heard insulting the sport on the September 24, 2000 Olympics broadcast, saying ""What's up with the racewalkers? I mean I respect them as athletes but come on......a contest to see who can walk the fastest is like having a contest to see who can whisper the loudest." This follows on the heels of a Time Magazine insult and a humorous open letter to the Olympic Committee from Gary Linnell in the Sydney Morning Herald.

The Good Old Days
What is a sport with no respect to do? It didn't used to be this way. In the Pedestrian Age in the 1800's, walking was the biggest-money spectator sport in the world. Top walkers walked in match races that earned them the equivalent of millions of dollars a year - same as today's NBA players.

But walking fell on harder times as running changed from short sprints to the longer races originally pioneered by the walkers.

Setting New Records
The Olympic racewalkers of today deserve respect. The 2000 winner of the 20K, Robert Korzeniowski, set a new Olympic Record in his race. Not only that, but he is the 1996 gold medal winner for the 50K walk and has a good chance of being the 2000 gold medalist at 50K again. It takes a superior athlete to make double gold in two very different events while setting records.

Racewalking form and technique have not been static - great strides have been made in just the past 20 years, and today's walkers could easily best those of past years.

The Seeds of Disrespect
Lack of respect also likely comes from the top competitors being non-Anglo. Russia, Mexico, Ecuador and Poland are fielding the best - and thus the sport is bound to get less press as the USA, Canada, and Britain finish out of the medals.

Detractors say walking that fast is unnatural and "looks funny." But then what is natural about pole vaulting? The parallel bars? Plenty of sports look silly if you don't appreciate the skill and technique they take to do well. The late disqualification of Bernardo Segura in the 20K Walk after he had finished and done his victory lap make some lament a sport that relies on judging. But racewalking judges are similar to referrees and umpires - they call the "fouls" when a walker "goes over the line," it's not a matter of style points.

The Olympics are a time to celebrate going higher, faster, stronger in a large variety of human physical endeavors. I spent hours this past week watching rowing - a sport I will never participate in and had no real interest in - but I found it thrilling to see Redgrave take a medal in his fifth Olympics. We need to all celebrate the Olympic spirit, not belittle any athlete who carries his/her country's flag and hopes.

Costas, Stein, Linnell - take a hike yourself. That's no insult - walking is one of the best things you can do for your body and spirit. Maybe it will help you regain some respect for a noble sport.

• Run from Racewalking E.M. Swift of CNN/Sports Ilustrated calls racewalking a sport fit only for the Fourth of July picnic and calls for it to be eliminated from the Olympics.

• A Brief History of Walking A look back.

• Walking in the 1800's The good old days for walking

Olympic Racewalking Guides

Guide to Olympic Racewalking 2008
Olympic Racewalking Rules
How to Racewalk

2000 Olympics Racewalking Results

Men's 20K
Men's 50K
Women's 20K
Racewalk Rankings and Records

Articles
Yueling Chen Earns US Slot, Nixed by Chinese
China Reverses Decision, Allow Chen to Walk for US
Michelle Rohl Rolls on to Sydney 2000