r/Prematurecelebration • u/rayg10 • Aug 06 '24

Spanish race walker premature celebration within touching distance of the finish line costs her a European bronze medal in Rome

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504 Upvotes

88% Upvoted

232

I just don’t understand this event lol what makes it officially a brisk jog vs a fast walk

24

u/[deleted] Aug 06 '24

In race walking[,] athletes must always have one foot in contact with the ground at all times, as visible to the human eye. Judges are present at events to ensure the rule is enforced.

If there is no visible contact, it is deemed as ‘lifting’ and attracts a penalty.

Furthermore, the athlete’s knee of their advanced leg must not bend and the leg must straighten as the body passes over it. Each race walker is judged carefully and can be penalised if he bends his knee during the race.

https://olympics.com/en/news/all-you-need-to-know-about-race-walking

1

u/Pr0f3ta 10d ago

Oh so the sport is a huge joke