During the IAAF World Race Walk Teams Championships in Rome, we met an old Australian friend living in England, Mark Wall.We asked him, like others, his brief thoughts on the organization.

Thanks Mark.

Marcia dal Mondo has invited me to comment on the organisation of the weekend. I am flattered. Given the short time span involved it was surely a massive task to get it off the ground and it was impressive.

No event like this can work without volunteers, they seem enthusiastic and it appeared were all able to carry off their tasks. They kept the area clear of debris around the feeding station so this was in itself a wonderful feat. To all of these, young and old well done!

The Iconic starting point was key, the Arch of Constantine and the Coliseum are the personification of historic Rome. This was a splendid location from which to commence the events. The course was a shaded one in the main and this will have benefited many of the athletes at various times.

I always enjoy seeing a finish into a stadium, it is one of those moments and I always find it better that finish under a road gantry, but this of course, is my own bias…  It enabled spectators to access the finish and then return to the course, if they wished.

You will never keep everyone happy and there is always going to be things, which, in hindsight may have been done better.

There could perhaps have been a crossing point for spectators’ mid-course, enabling people to access both sides of the course. This was also true at the entry end of the course especially as people left between the morning and afternoon sessions on day 1.

Some athletes past and present did comment that it may have been as easy to use just a 1km circuit for all races.

The final point that I would raise is one I observed only before the senior women’s event that was that they were in need of a toilet in close proximity to the start line. They did protect one another’s modesty whilst they attended to a final relieving of their bladders. I know of two very senior competitors who commented on the matter. One also highlighted the need for one on the course during all events.

All in all very well done!

Mark Wall

Photo reportage (by Giancarlo Colombo for Fidal): click here

 

 

Mark Wall with Andreea Arsine (ROU) arrived 61th in 1:37:48