Women’s 35km race finishes 1km short

Even having international judges and ample technical delegates could not help the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) in avoiding an alleged “technical glitch” during the 12th Indian Open Race Walk Competition. In a blunder, the women’s 35km race was ‘completed’ one kilometre short, leaving the participants and coaches in shock and forcing the organisers to hold back the results.

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As per the schedule, the women’s 35km race, with 11 participants, was to start at 5.30am, simultaneously with the men’s 35km race. While the men’s race completed the full 35km, the women’s race ended at the 34km mark.

“Yes, the race was stopped at 34km. There was some technical glitch. The results will be issued for a 34km race,” said Adille Sumariwalla, former AFI president and current spokesperson.

After the race, some of the coaches present on the sidelines raised the issue. “This is a big blunder by the organisers. How will they judge the winners now? They didn’t even cancel the event or make public the nature of the technical glitch,” said a coach.

The AFI later released the results, with the event listed as women’s 34km race walk.

The “technical glitch” would rob the race walkers of world ranking points. Last year, “faulty readings” had led to the revision of timings recorded at the National Open Race Walking Championship here. World Athletics had then invalidated all the results of one race.