To continue PRESS space bar HOW IT WORKS RACE WALKING Produced in the interests of a clearer understanding by the wider community of the adjudication process in race walking events. Raymond Smith January 2006 Former Member IAAF Walking Committee. Olympic Games - Judge 1980 &1988 Commonwealth Games - Judge 1982/86/90 Race Walking World Cup - Judge 1979/85/87/89/91 World Junior Championships - Judge 1982 World Indoor Championships - Judge 1987 World Championships - Judge 1987 Goodwill Games - Judge 2001

RACE WALKING HOW IT WORKS PRESS space bar This presentation gives the basic information necessary for the average audience to understand the front of house activities. Back stage activities are important and detailed. If you are desirous of advancing into the race walking discipline as an official, coach, walk judge or competitor you will need to study at length the INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF ATHLETICS FEDERATIONS Rules and Procedures. IAAF Rule Race Walking

Walking, as a competitive sport, is a race between two or more people, or against time. Most races are held at distances ranging from 1,500 to 50,000 meters. One and two hour races are also held on the track with each competitor's distance measured. Competitive walkers employ a method of walking which is sometimes referred to as "heel-and-toe." RACE WALKING HOW IT WORKS PRESS space bar

In simple terms THE FOOT of advancing leg should contact ground before the foot of the trailing leg loses contact with the ground. THE LEG must be straight [not bent at the knee] when the foot of advancing leg first touches the ground and remain straight until it reaches mid stride at the vertical upright position INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF ATHLETIC FEDERATIONS DEFINES RACE WALKING with RULE 230 PRESS space bar RACE WALKING HOW IT WORKS

Walk judges are spaced around the course. Up to six on track & up to nine on road circuits - dependent upon the dimensions of the race. One is elected as Chief Walk Judge and is the spokesperson for the entire judging panel. Each walk judge views samples of the competitors every lap or circuit. Unlike diving or gymnastics where a bundle of judges see the one performance. Judges shall act in an individual capacity and their judgements shall be based on observations made by the human eye. THE WALK JUDGES PRESS space bar RACE WALKING HOW IT WORKS

If in the opinion of an appointed walk judge a competitor is not complying with the FOOT or LEG RED card requirement at any viewing of the competitor then the judge will fill out a RED card and send it to the Chief Walk Judge. PRESS space bar WALK JUDGESRED CARDS WALK JUDGES and RED CARDS RACE WALKING HOW IT WORKS

RED RED When three RED cards from three different Judges have been sent to the Chief Judge, the athlete is disqualified and shall be notified of this disqualification by the Chief Judge or a Chief Judge’s Assistant by showing the athlete a RED paddle. RED RED cards issued during the crucial closing stages have to be checked and processed before the Chief Judge approves the final result. CHIEF JUDGE‘power of 3’ RED In designated events the CHIEF JUDGE has a sweeping ‘power of 3’ to disqualify a competitor without RED cards from other judges when a mode of progression over the final 100m warrants a decisive action. Full details in RULE 230. JUDGING. 2(a) RACE WALKING HOW IT WORKS THE DISQUALIFICATION PRESS space bar

RED CARDS THREE RED CARDS RACE WALKING HOW IT WORKS PRESS space bar

There are various procedures put in place to keep the competitors advised as to how they might be faring during the race. In designated races a posting board to RED display competitors race numbers and RED cards they have registered, is on open view. POSTING BOARD However competitors RED are not informed during the race as to which judges have issued RED cards for them. ‘third’ The ‘third’ RED RED card is posted on the board even if the Chief Judge may not have yet notified the competitor. RACE WALKING HOW IT WORKS PRESS space bar This picture is out of date. Currently the symbol of the offence is displayed, not the RED marker as indicated in the picture.

[YELLOW PADDLE] Caution [YELLOW PADDLE] always remains a caution. RED It never ever has any bearing on RED cards or eventual disqualification. The paddle is displayed when a judge considers a competitor is in danger of infringing. Most common mistake made by media commentators and arm-chair experts. RACE WALKING HOW IT WORKS To continue PRESS space bar When a judge displays the SYMBOL PADDLE to a competitor during the race IT IS NOT ! RED a RED card for disqualification. caution. It is a caution. [ a gentle reminder ] About ‘cautions’. In danger of receiving a RED RED card

? ?

Back stage activities are important and detailed. If you are desirous of advancing into the race walking discipline as an official, coach, walk judge or competitor you will need to study at length the INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF ATHLETICS FEDERATIONS Rules and Procedures. IAAF Rule Race Walking This presentation has given the basic information necessary for the average audience to understand the front of house activities.