Olympic Race Walkers: How Fast Do They Go?

Mar. 15, 2025

Race walking at the Olympics.Photo:Image Photo Agency/Getty

Image Photo Agency/Getty

But how exactly does race walking work at the Olympics and why is it considered an Olympic sport?TheInternational Olympic Committee (IOC)described race walking as a sport that “prioritizes precision and discipline,” unlike other track and field events that focus on speed.

Race Walk in Paris, France.Michael Steele/Getty

Michael Steele/Getty

The IOC explained that “25 teams will participate in the race, each made up of one male and one female athlete” who will complete a marathon-length race in “four stages” and alternate during the race.

According to theIOC, the race walking rules dictate that “athletes must always have one foot in contact with the ground at all times” and their foot must be “visible to the human eye.”

Judges monitor the race walking events and “if there is no visible contact, it is deemed as ‘lifting’ and attracts a penalty.” Additionally, the athlete’s knee of their advanced leg “must not bend,” or they will receive a penalty.

In the individual men’s and women’s races, if an athlete earns three violations at a race, they end up getting a two-minute penalty. In the new mixed race relay the three violations will lead to a three-minute penalty.

Standard distances for the events include the 3000m and 5000m in indoor tournaments, while 5000m, 10,000m, 20,000m and 50,000m races take place outdoors.

Race walking in Paris, France.Luke Hales/Getty

Luke Hales/Getty

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.While speed is not the focus in race walking, athletes are definitely not taking it slow during competition. Olympian Brian Daniel Pintado of Ecuador won the gold medal in the men’s 20 km race at the2020 Tokyo Olympicsat an average speed of 9.45 miles per hour and won gold again inParison Aug. 1.

Meanwhile, Chinese race walker Yang Jiayu won the women’s 20 km race at the 2024 Paris Olympics at an average speed of 8.68 miles per hour.

The race walk mixed relay will take place in Paris on Aug. 7.

source: people.com