The Uttarakhand Olympic Association, the organizing body of the 38th National Games, has written to the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) to reinstate race walking event in the roster of the forthcoming national event.
Race walking is a key event for the Uttarakhand athletes. They had clinched five medals in the previous two editions held in Goa and Gujarat.
“We were preparing for the event when suddenly we came to know that race walking will not be held. We are disappointed because the National Games is happening at our home and we were looking forward to winning medals here. We have good race walkers in both men and women events,” Paris 2024 Olympian Suraj Panwar who won gold in Goa National Games in 20km race walk was quoted as saying by the Hindustan Times.
“We had doubts whether 35km will be held in Uttarakhand but now we hear even 20km has been taken off and that was surprising,” said Paramjeet Singh Bisht who competed at the Paris 2024.
AFI secretary Sandeep Mehta had informed the Games Technical Conduct Committee about the decision through a letter, in possession of the Olympic First, after careful consideration for the best interest of the top athletes.
The 38th National Games will be held from January 28 to February 14 in Dehradun. A total of 43 disciplines will feature with 37 teams in focus.
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