World Athletics Launches Bidding for 2028 & 2030 Race Walking Team Championships; Announces Athletes’ Commission Election Candidates…

World Athletics Launches Bidding for 2028 & 2030 Race Walking Team Championships; Announces Athletes’ Commission Election Candidates

 

World Athletics has officially opened the bidding process for the 2028 and 2030 World Athletics Race Walking Team Championships. Member federations are now invited to submit pre‑qualification forms to host these prestigious elite events—anticipated to draw the top racewalking nations and spotlight the growing appeal of team-based racewalking competitions .

This move reinforces World Athletics’ strategy of distributing marquee events globally, particularly in regions showing strong interest in endurance disciplines like racewalking. The recent 2024 championships in Antalya, Turkey, saw participation from 52 countries and over 430 athletes , underlining the event’s expansive international reach. As host cities prepare to enter the bidding, they’re not only vying for sporting prestige but also for the opportunity to boost tourism, showcase infrastructure, and leave enduring community legacies.

Ten Athletes in the Running for 2025 Athletes’ Commission

In parallel with the bidding announcement, World Athletics has disclosed ten nominees for the six seats available on its Athletes’ Commission. This election will take place during the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, scheduled for 13–21 September 2025 . The nominees—hailing from diverse backgrounds—aim to represent their peers on key policy areas ranging from competition formats to athlete welfare and integrity safeguards.

According to World Athletics, the nomination window honored strict criteria, including competitive achievements, commitment to integrity, and strong advocacy for athletes’ rights. The final selection will ensure that six athletes, chosen by their fellow participants, bring essential perspectives and leadership to the sport’s governance.

USATF Highlights Overhaul of Athlete Selection Policies

Meanwhile, USA Track & Field (USATF) is showcasing its revamped national‑team selection procedures, emphasizing clarity, fairness, and transparency. The updated guidelines, now posted on USATF’s official site, aim to streamline the pathway for elite competition entry—particularly in high‑performance events such as the World Championships and the Olympics .

USATF’s efforts focus on ensuring top-tier athletes fully comprehend qualifying benchmarks, deadlines, and related requirements. By publicly documenting these policies, they seek to build confidence among athletes and foster trust in the organization’s selection process.

What It All Means for the Athletics World

Taken together, these developments reflect World Athletics’ holistic approach to growing the sport:

Geographic expansion: Opening up elite events like the Race Walking Team Championships to new hosts encourages global development and enhances the sport’s visibility.

Democratic governance: Electing athletes to the Commission ensures competitor voices influence decisions on competition formats, scheduling, welfare protocols, and anti‑doping frameworks.

National-level transparency: Updates like USATF’s reinforce integrity in athlete selection—aligning with global best practices and boosting confidence among stakeholders.

These initiatives come at a pivotal moment: as Tokyo gears up for the 2025 World Championships, national governing bodies and World Athletics alike are under scrutiny to deliver fair, innovative, and sustainable solutions. By energizing athlete representation and event distribution, the sole global athletics body is reinforcing its mission to cultivate inclusivity, competitiveness, and integrity at every level.

What’s Next?

Federations have a window to submit their bids for the 2028 and 2030 Race Walking Championships—watch for announcements on shortlisted host cities later this year.

Athletes competing in Tokyo 2025 will vote to elect six Commission members—election results will be announced during the Championships.

US-based athletes should review USATF’s updated selection procedures to ensure they understand qualification pathways.

These coordinated moves by World Athletics and USATF are projected to enhance athlete engagement, refine competitive fairness, and expand global reach—solidifying a more transparent and athlete-centered future for athletics.