Athletes and celebrities highlighted how history will be made at this event. World Athletics Team Championship Antalya 24on the eve of the tournament to be held in Turkiye on Sunday (April 21).
The marathon race walking mixed relay will make its Olympic debut in Paris in August, and WRW Antalya 24 will be a qualifying event for the new event.
As well as the mixed relay, Antalya's program includes a senior 20km race and an U20 10km race, and is filled with star athletes across the board.
“This world-class competition is always important to the racewalking community, but this time it is especially important as it is an Olympic qualifying event with the Paris Games just three months away,” said World Athletics CEO John Ridgeon. spoke at the venue. Pre-event press conference held at Dokma Park Contemporary Art Museum in Antalya.
“Tomorrow it becomes even more important because we are going to make a bit of history. For the first time in a major championship event, a marathon race-walking mixed relay event will take place as a precursor to its introduction to the Paris Olympics. I'm really looking forward to it being held.
“I am also pleased that almost all of the top international race walkers from around the world are here in Antalya for this weekend's competitions. Race walking is certainly a sport where no one can escape from direct competition. It's going to be a really top-level tournament.”
President of the Turkish Athletics Federation Fatih Chintimal emphasized the importance of this event.
“We are very honored to be hosting this event in Turkiye. This is history for us and history for race walking,” he said.
“It is very important for us that the 22 marathon race walking mixed relay teams qualify for the Olympic Games. We are very honored to have been able to organize this big event together with the Governor of Antalya. I wish the athletes all the best.”
Governor Hulusi Sahin said: “This is a big event for both Antalya and Turkiye. I am very honored.
“It's rainy and windy today, but we expect good weather and a beautiful atmosphere tomorrow.”
Polish racewalking great Robert Korzeniowski also attended the event as World Athletics Ambassador.
The four-time Olympic and three-time world gold medalist expressed his expectations for the competition. A new competitive formula. I'm really looking forward to tomorrow's Paris qualifying round.
“There will also be a 20km race and an U20 category. While we focus on Olympic qualification, we will also look out for future champions. This is the future of our discipline.”
Among the current world champions in Antalya is Spain's Alvaro Martin, who will compete in Sunday's mixed relay after winning a double world title in the 20km and 35km in Budapest.
“Our main goal is to qualify for the Paris Olympics. We have entered three strong teams and will aim for the two spots offered to each country,” he said.
The Spanish team rehearsed in Valencia on March 10, with Martin and Laura García-Caro recording a time of 2:57:04. This was the second fastest time in history, surpassed by Ecuador's Brian Pintado. and Glenda Morejon.
“We hope that the experience of the opening round will give us an advantage over most countries,” Martin added. “Tomorrow we will only race 20km, but in terms of effort I think the mixed relay will be closer to 35km than 20km, because I am already feeling tired at the start of the second leg.”
Australia's Jemima Montag went on to improve her lifetime best of 1:27:09 after Spain's Maria Perez topped the 20km event in Budapest last year. She also opted for the mixed relay in Antalya, where she will line up alongside Rhydian Cowley.
“I'm very excited ahead of tomorrow's match. Australia has a 20-man team in a variety of events and I'm looking forward to doing well here,” she said. “With Lydian, we have been training partners for the past 16 years, so we know each other very well. I think this adds a team element and increases the energy.”
Morejon, who won the 35km race at the last World Team Race Walking Championships, said: Together with my coach, we decided to only focus on the 20km event to give my teammates a chance at the mixed relay, but my plan was to double my performance at the Paris Olympics, competing in the 20km and relay. It is to contain. ”
Her compatriot Jefferson Perez, the 1996 Olympic 20km champion, was also in Antalya, and when asked about his presence at the Games, she replied: “He is a huge inspiration for the team and it will be very encouraging to have him cheering us on tomorrow.”
Sweden's world 20km silver medalist Perseus Karlström will also compete in Sunday's individual 20km event after winning 35km gold in Muscat two years ago.
“Race walkers form a big family. We meet several times a year and it's always fun to meet,” he said. When asked about his favorite mixed relay rider, he replied: “I think the Mexican team has a very solid technique, so we could win an amazing medal tomorrow. When it comes to the best technicians, I team up with Antonella Palmisano from Italy. ”
Palmisano will play for one of the two Italian teams, which also includes Olympic champion Massimo Staano. When asked whether he thought the 20km or the mixed relay was more difficult, Stano replied: “There are two reasons for the relay: firstly, the overall distance is longer and secondly, it is not easy for him in the relay to know what to do between the two legs. ”
For Salif Korkmaz, this event is a chance to race on his home soil.
“We are a very strong team,” he said. “I'm sure we'll be among the 22 teams (to qualify for Paris). We hope for a great result tomorrow.”
