You’d be hard-pressed to find someone who doesn’t have a favourite sport to watch at the Summer Olympic Games.
While many viewers set alarms for major events like gymnastics and swimming, some are more fond of the lesser-known sports, which takes us to the issue of speed walking.
There are two events in the Olympics for speed walking, sometimes known as race walking.
Both sexes compete in a 20-kilometer (12.42-mile) walk in the first event, while males only competed in the 50-kilometer walk in the second event.
Which took place for the final time on August 6, 2021, in Tokyo (or 31.06 miles).
Although, if you’ve ever seen the competition on TV, you might have wondered what’s up with the competitors’ hip wiggles and odd strides.
Or, to rephrase the question: why do people who speed walk do it that way? Continue reading as I show you how Distractify works.
What’s with That Wiggle? York Race Walkers Explain
They are not actually jogging, but they do move far more swiftly than most people who jog.
As they race down the track with only one foot touching the ground at a time, their hips spin far more than is natural.
These individuals are participating in a walking competition. The swaying gait of the wigglers may be comical to onlookers.
But it’s what permits Olympic-level race walkers to achieve the six-minute mile speed, as Marv Berkowitz conceded.
When compared to the average individual, who may take around 20 minutes to walk one mile down the street, the distance may seem daunting.
Berkowitz used to run, bike, triathlon, and lift weights, but an Achilles injury 18 years ago effectively ruined his running career.
Despondent, he looked for an other means to experience the joy he had felt when running.
Why Does Race Walking Look Like That?
What sets racewalking apart is not just the fact that participants walk, but also the manner in which they walk.
Aswivelling motion that may look as uncool to some as shooting a free throw backwards in basketball.
These racewalkers’ distinctive appearance is a direct result of the two primary regulations that govern the sport.
The first is that, to the naked sight, at least one foot must always be planted firmly on the floor. Because, after all, that’s what makes walking walking.
When a person is running, there is a split second when neither foot is touching the ground.
The second, more perplexing regulation is that the leading leg must remain straight until it is under the torso.
Conclusion
Racewalking, also known simply as race walking, is a type of long-distance athletics.
It’s a footrace, but it’s not quite like running because you have to keep at least one foot seemingly planted on the ground at all times.
The judges in a race keep a close eye on this to ensure it stays consistent. Common distances for races.
Which may be hosted on roads or running tracks, range from 3,000 metres (1.9 miles) to 100 kilometres (62.1 mi).
