Why is Russia such a strong race walking nation?
Naumburg – The dual World Cup wins here in Naumburg by Vera Sokolova and Yelena Nikolayeva in the women’s senior and junior walks was not only a great achievement for Russian athletics but also a little known region in the Eastern part the country just west of the Urals. The Chuvash Republic has become a hotbed of race walking following the successes of Yelena Nikolayeva (she won the 1996 Olympic 20km walk) Olimpiada Ivanova and Vladimir Andreyev. Crucially for the republic’s continued success in the event, race walking has heavyweight support politically. In front of a Chuvash TV crew immediately after the medal ceremony for the senior 20km walk in Naumburg, Yelena had the honour of receiving a call on her mobile phone from the President of the Chuvash Republic Nikolai Fyodorov – himself a famous sportsman in his time. The Capital city of the small republic Cheboksary hosted the 2003 European Cup of Race Walking with crowds of 40 000 lining the course. With the massive interest in the
