The World Race Walking Team Championships, to be held in Antalya, Turkey, on April 21, 2024, offers a unique opportunity for athletes. For the first time, the Marathon Race Walking Mixed Relay event is included in the championship. This event serves as a qualifying event for the Paris 2024 Olympics, with 22 quota spots up for grabs.
The relay event will be a marathon distance of 42.195 km, with teams consisting of one male and one female athlete. Each athlete races twice, with the man covering an initial 12.195 km, followed by the woman for the next 10 km, then the man for another 10 km, and finally, the woman covering the last 10 km to the finish line.
Indian Contingent at World Race Walking Team Championships
India is fielding two mixed relay pairings: Priyanka Goswami-Akshdeep Singh and Paramjeet Singh-Munita P. These athletes were part of a 14-member contingent sent by the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) for the championships. The team also includes five athletes each in the men’s and women’s 20 km race walking events.
The top 22 teams from the mixed relay event secure their tickets to the Paris Olympics. Additionally, up to five of these teams could select an additional team for their country. This means that the championships are not just about individual glory, but also about securing a place for their country at the Paris Olympics.
One day to go for Sunday World Athletics Race Walking Team Championships in Antalya. Indian team is ready.#Paris2024 #ParisOlympics #WorldRaceWalking @Paris2024 @RECLindia @Media_SAI pic.twitter.com/X6DdJSKXxR
— Athletics Federation of India (@afiindia) April 20, 2024
India had already secured four Paris Olympics quotas, with a maximum of three spots in the men’s category and one spot in the women’s racewalking. The athletes are aiming to secure one more racewalking quota in the mixed relay event.
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