We were in the mid-nineties when a famous international statistic on race walking, unfortunately passed away, used to say that "while the athletic power of a Country is measured by its 4x400 relay, the same power in race walking is measured on the number of athletes present in the first 100 of the world lists”.
The reader may or may not agree with this statement that was made by Palle Lassen, for many years Chairman of the IAAF Walking Committee from 1972 to 1990, but in any case we have spent a bit of our time to this exercise, which now offer to the reader.
In our humble opinion, with some small doubt in some small situations, the lists, both globally both at Area level, reflect the forces involved.
Here is short Area level analysis, , similar to what we did last year.
Obviously this year's novelty is also the inclusion of 50km women, but it is limited to only 32 athletes.
Europe
Twenty-four are Countries (they were 23 in 2014: and 24 in 2015 and 2016) that have some of the athletes present in the first 100 of the world lists with a total of 317 athletes (in 2014: 352 and in 2015: 310).
Despite the absence imposed by the IAAF in international competitions Russia remains the leader, with 57 athletes (there were 89 in 2015 and 75 in 2016).
The results of 2017, put in second place at the European level with surprise Italy (thanks to U20) with 41 athletes, in front of Spain (36) the followed by Ukraine (29), Germany and Poland (16) and Franc3 (15).
Follow the other Countries such as the following table.
Asia
Six Nations are represented (they were 6 in 2014, 5 in 2015 nd 6 in 2016) with a total of 287 athletes (they were 235 in 2014, 271 inl 2015 and 191 in 2016).
Again it is undoubted leadership of China with 178 athletes (they were 179 in 2015 and 85 in 2016).
In second place is Japan an in third place India.
Follow, as per following table, Korea, China Taipei and Kazakistan.
Africa
There are six countries represented (they were 4 in 2014, 3 in 2015 and 6 in 2016) for a total 17 athletes (in 2014: 6 and also in 2015 while they were 22 in 2016).
Oceania
Two are the Countries represented for a total of 16 athletes (they were 19 in 2014, 17 in 2015 and 24 in 2016).
There is no doubt on the leadership of Australia which includes 13 of the 16 athletes of the Area.
NACAC (North America, Central America and Caribbean)
Seven Countries are represented (the were 4 in 2014, 5 in 2015 and 7 in 2016) for a total of 64 athletes (they were 39 in 2014, 44 in 2015 and 65 in 2016).
Undisputed leader is Mexico, for its history, for his results and for the number of athletes entered in all categories, with a total of 31 athletes.
In second place United States with 14 athletes and then for the third place Guatemala is in front of Canada in numerical terms.
But in terms of results only, Mexico and Canada are the undisputed leaders in this Area.
South America (Consudatle)
Seven Countries are represented (they were 6 in 2014 and 7 in 2015 and 2016) for a total of 58 athletes (there were 43 in 2014, 50 in 2015 and 74 in 2016).
The leadership of 2014 is to Ecuador with 22 athletes in front of Colombia (14 athletes) and perù (11 athletes)
Download full list of the year 2017 (by Area and World) from the section Statistics or directly from this link: click here
To facilitate comparison to our readers we publish below:
Our news of Jan. 11, 2017 with the same analysis for the year 2016: click here
Download full list of the year 2016 (by Area and World) from the section Statistics or directly from this link: click here