At the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, a new team competition in walking will be part of the program for the first time. Teams of one man and one woman each share the marathon distance of 42.195 kilometers, as the International Association of Athletics Federations announced on Saturday.
The course is divided into four sections, which the athletes have to master alternately. The federation agreed with the International Olympic Committee on the introduction of the new competition.
25 teams participate
A total of 25 teams are to compete in the new competition at next year's Games in the French capital. The marathon distance was chosen for the new format because of its popularity and great tradition at the Olympic Games, the International Association of Athletics Federations said.
"The format will be innovative, dynamic and unpredictable," said association chief Jon Ridgeon. The competition should also ensure gender equality in athletics competitions.
For the team competition, the same route will be used as for the classic walker competitions. It leads at the foot of the Eiffel Tower through the center of the city. A total of eleven days are planned for the athletics competitions at the Games in Paris. The new competition will take place for the first time on 7 August.