Olympic walking race sparks controversy over cheating allegations

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On social media, one Reddit user stunned viewers by revealing cheating allegations in the Olympic walking race, which gained significant attention.

On the Reddit platform, a viral video highlighted the harsh truth, showing potential cheating in the walking race at this year’s Olympics.

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Viewers were shocked by alleged cheating in the men’s 20km walk race at the Olympics on August 1. Image Credits: Getty

 

Race walking is governed by specific rules set by the World Athletics Federation. Athletes must keep one foot in contact with the ground at all times.

Athletes’ legs must remain straight from the moment they touch the ground until they pass under the body.

These regulations are designed to differentiate race walking from running.

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The race, a focus of controversy, involved strict rules on maintaining one foot in contact with the ground. Image Credits: Getty

 

Disputed 20-km walk Race raises eyebrows after being accused of cheating

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Some viewers claimed athletes appeared to be running instead of walking. Image Credits: @Surferma4/Reddit

 

On August 1, the men’s 20-kilometer race at the Olympics drew significant attention as viewers accused athletes of cheating.

On the Reddit platform, a user, who goes by @Surferma4 shared a video pointing out a 20-kilometer walk race, leaving viewers stunned.

The video has the caption: “WWhile watching the men’s 20km walk, I noticed that every single walker is “cheating”. Is there a large amount of leeway in the sport?”

Recent slow-motion footage from the 20km race has sparked accusations that many athletes were not following these rules.

Observers noted that, at times, it appeared athletes’ feet were off the ground simultaneously, leading to claims of widespread cheating.

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A Reddit video showed the perceived rule-breaking, sparking widespread discussion and debate. Image Credits: @Surferma4/Reddit

 

The video quickly went viral and sparked debate on social media.

This controversy highlights growing concerns about adherence to the strict rules governing race walking.

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In the comment section, divergent opinions emerged regarding the rules shown in the video describing the men’s 20km walk.

Many viewers felt that the athletes were clearly breaking the rules, while others suggested that the event resembled jogging more than walking.

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Critics suggested that the event resembled jogging more than walking. Image Credits: @Surferma4/Reddit

 

Others argued that the rules are intended to be interpreted by the naked eye and not scrutinized through slow-motion videos.

One person said: lol I’m watching this shit right now as well and it makes NO SENSE. They’re all literally jogging/running 

A second wrote: I’m still in awe of it tbh. 20km in 78 minutes, that’s 4 consecutive sub-20 5ks, all while not really running properly. Pretty much a 1 hour 20 half marathon.

While a third commented: No kidding hey. The guy who won gold was just straight up running while dragging his feet for the last lap

Another added: In race walking, athletes must always have one foot in contact with the ground at all times, as visible to the human eye.

Someone else said: Road walking has been in there for ages, and they should do it properly.

The debate over the 20-kilometer walk race underscores the need for clearer rules regarding race walking.

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Defenders argued that race walking rules should be judged by the naked eye, not slow-motion replays. Image Credits: Getty

 

As the Olympics continue, ensuring fair play and transparency remains crucial for maintaining the integrity of the Games.

What were your thoughts on the Olympic walking race following the accusations of cheating?


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