A few days ago we published the changes to the “Competition and Technical Rules” which will come into force from 1.11.2021 for the next 2022 season.
But in the Council of 29 July 2021 World Athletics was also approved the "World Athletics Race Walking Tour", a project that proposes for athletes, also for race walking as already in place for the marathon, different levels of competition (Gold-Silver-Bronze).
The "World Athletics Race Walking Tour" officially comes into effect from 1.12.2021.
In order for the competitions to be part of the «Tour», the organizers must submit the applications and agree on a date to be defined with WA/Areas, it is up to this/these entity to select the appropriate level for each of the events and subsequent evaluation after them.
The most important milestones on the basis of which Word Athletics will decide the level (Gold-Silver-Bronze) of the competition are the following:
- lLevel of athletes competing
- Athlete budget and prize money and overall event budget
- Services provided to athletes
- Added value and prestige to the ecosystem and to the world brand of the world of walking.
- Number of international participants.
- Quality of the course
- Broadcast/live streaming.
- Geographic spread of the Tour on each continental area.
- Tradition.
- Respect of the financial commitments towards the Athletes
- Respect of the rules and regulations of the World Athletics and also of the other rules on the guidelines, including Graphics Branding Guidelines
- Conducting anti-doping measures.
- Technical conduct of the competition.
The minimum standards for requests are:
Gold level
- Events: at least one men's and one women's race on standard distances of 10km, 20km or 35km. U20 or master events are optional
- Course: validated and certified by a member of the WA / AIMS Road Race Course Measurer
- Judges: at least 5 international walking judges (representing 4 countries) must be on duty, including the chief judge. Notwithstanding their final number, all acting judges must be chosen either from the panel of international or area race walking judges.
- Minimum budget for athletes: for travel, accommodation and cash prizes it should be at least USD 10,000.
- Anti-doping: a minimum of 5 urine tests of which at least 2 must be analyzed with "Erythropoiesis Stimulating Agents (ESA)"
- Logistics: Hotel Rating at least 3 stars, full board and transport for the invited athletes
World Athletics will appoint a technical delegate for each Gold Level World Athletics Race Walking Tour Meeting.
Silver level
- Events: at least one men's and one women's competition. U20 or master events are optional
- Course: validated and certified by a member of the WA / AIMS Road Race Course Measurer
- Judges: at least 3 international walling judges (representing 2 countries) must be on duty, including the chief judge. Notwithstanding their final number, all judges in office must be chosen from the panel of international or area marching judges.
- Minimum budget for athletes: for travel, accommodation and cash prizes it should be at least USD 5,000.
- Anti-doping: a minimum of 4 urine tests of which at least 2 must be analyzed with "Erythropoiesis Stimulating Agents (ESA)"
- Logistics: Hotel Rating at least 3 stars, transport for invited athletes
Area Associations will appoint a technical delegate for each Silver Level World Athletics Race Walking Tour Meeting.
Bronze level
- Events: at least one men's and one women's competition. U20 or master events are optional
- Course: validated and certified by a member of the WA / AIMS Road Race Course Measurer
- Judges: at least 3 international walking judges (representing 2 countries) must be on duty, including the chief judge. Regardless of their final number, all judges in office must be chosen from the panel of international or area marching judges.
- Participation of athletes: the organizers must guarantee the participation of athletes from at least two countries in addition to the host one
- Anti-doping: a minimum of 3 urine tests of which at least 2 must be analyzed with "Erythropoiesis Stimulating Agents (ESA)"
- Logistics: Hotel Rating at least 3 stars, transport for invited athletes
World Athletics will prepare an annual global ranking (December 1st to November 30th) of the «Race Walking Tour» as per the following table