Delight – and relief – for Brendan Boyce as 50k walk is saved

There was delight for Donegal race walker Brendan Boyce today as the IAAF decided abandon their plans to drop the 50k walk from its programme of events.

By Chris McNulty, Donegal Sport Hub

The International Olympic Council as said to have been behind proposals to drop the 50k walk from the Olympic and World Championships.

Milford man Boyce competed in the 50k walk at the Olympic Games in 2012 and 2026 – and was one of 60 athletes who signed a petition opposing the plans.

The petition was set to the IAAF President Sebastian Coe.

Plans to replace the event with a new race over a half-marathon distance were shelved following opposition from the IAAF’s Ruling Council in London this afternoon.

Letterkenny AC man Boyce last week spoke of his fear that his ‘life’s work could be ended with a vote and a rubber stamp’.

Today, though, the plans to drop his race were abandoned after a presentation by former Italian race walker Maurizio Damilano, who is now head of the IAAF Race Walking Committee.