kävelykilpailu

Kävelykilpailu, often translated as race walking, is a track and field discipline and a form of foot locomotion in which a competitor must always maintain contact with the ground. One foot must be in contact with the ground at all times. The leading leg must be straightened from the moment of first contact with the ground until the vertical upright position. Racewalking is a more strenuous and faster form of walking, requiring significant training and technique.

The sport has a long history, with its roots in pedestrianism contests that were popular in the 19th century. It became an Olympic sport in 1908 for men, with women's events added much later, becoming an Olympic medal event in 2000. Racewalking events are contested over various distances, typically ranging from 3 kilometers to 50 kilometers for men and 3 kilometers to 20 kilometers for women. Major international competitions include the Olympic Games, World Athletics Championships, and continental championships.

The primary rules of race walking focus on maintaining continuous ground contact and keeping the supporting leg straight. Judges monitor competitors and can issue warnings for infringements of these rules. Disqualification can occur after a certain number of warnings. Race walking demands a unique blend of endurance, speed, and precise technique, making it a specialized and challenging athletic pursuit.