It was the year 1990 when Tiziano Campedelli, then Fiduciario Nazionale of the GGG of Fidal, with a great foresight, proposed to Palle Lassen two young Italian judges for the role of International Race Walking Judges at the IAAF: they were Lamberto Vacchi and Nicola Maggio.

The first experiences of major events were for Lamberto Vacchi the World Championship in Tokyo 1991 and the previous year for Nicola Maggio the European Championships in Split 1990 followed in 1992 by the Olympic Games in Barcelona.

It is easy to imagine the satisfaction for both of them to participate in this role in events of such importance.

At that time the IAAF Panel had over 120 judges and there were seven Italians present: Mario Borghes, Luigi Bracesco, Vincenzo Carbone, Giovanni Ferrari, Gianluigi Galli, and Nicola Maggio and Lamberto Vacchi.

In 1996, within the IAAF it was decided that there was no reason to maintain such a large panel: the judges had very little chance of operating in a four-year sporting period and this was reflected in a differentiation of the thought of judgment that was reconciled with the progress of the walking events. A numerical reduction would have led to greater homogeneity, the one that in jargon from the Anglo-Saxons is defined as "consistency".

Thus began the era of the examinations that were entrusted to Lamberto Vacchi together with Peter Marlow and Robert Cruise (for the English speaking countries) and the late Jean Dahm (for those speaking French).

Following the examinations the numerical composition of the IAAF Panel changed drastically.

In the first session, that of 1998, they were presented in 100 judges and were approved 61.

In the following editions, the numerical reduction (2002 - 2006: 30 - 2010: 31 - 2014: 25) was carried out until the current 23.

Since then Italy has always had a numerical presence that varied from the three judges after the first exam edition (in addition to Lamberto Vacchi, admitted as a lecturer by law, passed the exams Nicola Maggio and Mario Borghes). From 2002 with the choice of Lamberto Vacchi to continue in the activity of lecturer (and remain only a judge at the European level) and the obligation of a good knowledge of the English language in the exams meant that to represent Italy in the IAAF Panel remained only Nicola Maggio.

On the other hand, at the European level there were Giovanni Ferrari (until 2006), Luca Ciurli, Denis Morino (both until 2010), Lamberto Vacchi (until 2013 when he came out due to age limits) and Mara Baleani (from 2013) who until 2022 it will be the only Italian representative.

This year with the exit from the IAAF panel for age limits of Nicola Maggio after 28 years, Italy no longer has any representative in the world race walking judges level III, while fortunately it has kept one at continental level (level II).

What are the reasons for this failed replacement?

The first is certainly the poor attitude to the English language.

The international panel of race waking judges does not just need that the judge is technically prepared (which among other things is quite obvious and natural). It also requires at least a good level of knowledge of English to be able to relate with other colleagues on the arguments and in the meetings pre and after the race.

This factor of linguistic knowledge becomes particularly relevant during the examinations for admission to the panels, as it places us at an inferior level compared to other colleagues in Nations in which linguistic knowledge goes hand in hand with the technical one.

Like us there are also other Nations that suffer from this deficiency, which in the current international world is certainly no longer acceptable.

The second reason for the non-replacement is precisely the lack of custom to participate in a succession of exams every four years.

The Italian judge makes a long preparatory course before becoming of national level (sometimes too long so that some good potential is lost on the way) which ends with a one-off exam. Subsequently, each successive four-year verification is fairly simplified.

In other Nations the turn over of race walking judges frequently takes place for a four-year examination. The individual deficiencies come to light, while the young judge who wants to emerge must be able to demonstrate his ability to "last in time".

Volunteering in the current era does not only mean "being present", but "providing a good volunteer service". Often the inability to understand the judging activity as a good volunteer service justifies the lack of ability to get involved and to expose its shortcomings.

The third reason is probably due to the lack of a personal incentive to conquer more delicate positions and greater responsibility, with the risk that all this carries on.

Being a leading actor means that not only your merits come to light, but also your mistakes; appearing eliminates this risk altogether.

If there is not this personal incentive, in short if you are content, you will hardly be able to pass an exam for admission to international operational registers.

Finally, the writer believes that there must be a correct equation between the presence in the race walking judges panel of a Nation and the technical-competitive value of the same Nation.

A leading Nation must go through a growth of professional career of athletes and coaches, but also of the judges. The presence in the field of more experiences is to be considered a value to which a Nation can not renounce.

The example closest to us that comes to mind is that of Spain, which is present in Europe and in the World as one of the Nations of undisputed leadership, boasts a presence of six international judges (3 IAAF and 3 Europeans).

Looking outside the borders of the Mediterranean today, the IAAF panel registers (and as far as we are concerned with Europe Panel) we see that other Nations have also taken up this challenge: Portugal with five international judges (2 IAAF and 3 Europeans), Ireland and Great Britain with three international judges (2 IAAF and 1 European).

What is even more standing out a mile is the small Hong Kong Federation with two IAAF judges while not boasting top athletes in the world rankings.

It's a luxury that we can not afford in doing!

(cover photo by Giovanni Bruno - ITA)