The Russians are coming

MONACO - Monte Carlo - In the history of race walking, a few nations have achieved legendary status, but for consistency of performance, by both men and women and on the road and track, Russia have marched in the footprints of the mighty USSR and will be sending a formidable squad to battle for honours in Prague/Podebrady on April 19-20.

Until the disintegration of the former Eastern-bloc, USSR walkers were renowned for their prowess. In the men’s 50km road walk from 1911, no fewer than 11 world bests were recorded by USSR athletes. The next most successful nation, Mexico, has 6 marks to its credit. In the men’s 20km road event since 1921 the story is similar with the USSR claiming the most marks - 8. Since 1909 Soviet Union walkers also recorded the most world records on the track at 20,000m - 9 and may also claim the most at 50,000m on the track - 4, although the combined East Germany-West Germany total is 5. With this tremendous legacy it is not surprising that the Russians made an immediate impact as a reborn nation. Perhaps Russia’s most consistent performer has been Mikhail Schennikov, who set world bests for the USSR and a record four world indoor titles in 1987, 1989, 1991 and 1993 (for Russia). Fifth at his favourite event the 20 km at the 1995 World Championships in Gothenburg, the Moscow born athlete was bitterly upset with his 7^th place in the gruelling heat and humidity of the Atlanta Olympics last year. So, after a week’s recovery, he took the start line again for the 50km determined to make amends. His determination paid off and he claimed silver behind Poland’s Robert Korzeniowski.

Along with Shchennikov the Russian men’s 20km team for Podebrady includes Ilya Markov, the silver medallist in Atlanta at 20km and Rishat Shafikov, who finished fifth in the same race. A daunting prospect for their rivals.

Yet if anything, Russia’s women, who start in the 10km event, are an even tougher proposition. Irina Stankina first rocketed to fame when she won the 1995 World Championships as an 18 year-old (the youngest ever winner). The doe-eyed Russian was disqualified in Atlanta but overcame her disappointment by becoming World Junior Champion in Sydney after the Games. But it is one of Stankina’s team-mates in Podebrady, Yelena Nikolayeva, who has the best claim to the title "World’s Greatest Walker". The 31 year-old, who won Olympic gold in Atlanta also set a world best for 10km of 41:04 earlier in 1996 at the Black sea resort of Sochi. Nikolayeva is superbly fit, mentally tough and versatile. She set three world records at 10,000m (track) between 1986 and 1988, won an Olympic silver in 1992, a World Indoor gold in 1993 and has also won medals in the World Championships and European Championships.

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Until the disintegration of the Soviet Bloc, USSR race walkers were renowned for their prowess and much of their consistency has been retained by the Russians. The Russian teams will be pulling out all of the stops in Podebrady in both men's and women's events and will be worthy opponents to the Chinese for the team awards.