Due to suspected blood doping indicated by irregularities in his biological passport, the Athletics Integrity Unit has provisionally banned Japanese racewalker Koki Ikeda from competition. The athlete is one of the most celebrated people in the sport, as he won the Olympic silver medal in Tokyo just four years ago. This medal was given to him in the 20 km category, where he finished with a time of 1:21:14, just behind Massimo Stano with 1:21:05.

He also competed in the same category during the Paris Olympics. However, this time it seemed that the competition had increased because, despite posting a better time than Tokyo at 1:19:41, he could only manage to finish seventh and without a medal. Now it seems that the runner might face more trouble in his career.

The 26-year-old was informed about his charges after markings on his biological passport showed a discrepancy, making the authorities suspect that he might be using banned substances. However, he has never actually been found using them. But his biological passport indicated markers of doping despite not being tested to do so.

The investigators of this case haven’t informed anyone about any set time in which they would investigate the case. This case is definitely important in the world of racewalking, as Koki Ikeda is a very important figure in it. He won a silver medal as recently as in the 2022 World Championships. Thus, it’ll be interesting to see what happens. However, fans in the Reddit track and field seem to have already passed judgment on the case.

Many reacted strongly to the news of Ikeda’s provisional suspension on social media, though the investigation is ongoing and no final determination has been made. In the Reddit community, most fans are used to watching normal running, which sees athletes cross the line in fast fashion, posting incredible times. Unfortunately, the sport of racewalking, which has been present in the Olympics since 1932, doesn’t share the same popularity as the running version. Thus, the reactions were not very kind to the athlete.

Fans take shots at Race Walker for being caught doping

Most fans were taking very heavy digs at Koki Ikeda. One fan said, “Imagine having to dope for walking. Bros putting the L in walk.” Despite not being as fast-paced as its running counterpart, racewalking has its own sets of difficulties. Athletes need to have a much higher endurance skill to succeed in it. The two categories of sport in the Olympics are 20 km and 50 km. To cover that distance within any specific time might be a huge challenge, as it really takes testing of an athlete’s willpower to another level.

Now, to do that in a specific time so that one ends up defeating their competitors to the top prize takes the stakes to an even higher level. Thus, it is not an easy sport in any shape or form like many suggested. “Getting caught for doping in racewalking seems unusually embarrassing,” a fan smugly remarked.

Another fan said, “Racewalking: the contest to see who can run the most and only get caught twice.” The sport has numerous violations. One of these is that a runner can’t have both legs in the air at the same point in time, as that means the walker is practically running or at least jogging. But there’s a system to punish the violations too. The system has three red cards. An athlete will get a red card for every violation they commit.

If one gets a third red card, it means that they would be disqualified from the race. This means that they could get away with two violations in the race without getting thrown out. This is sometimes used by fans to undermine the sport. Another fan compared racewalking to backstroke in swimming.

They said, “Race walking is almost as pointless as swimming on your back.” Swimming on one’s back is easier because it makes the process of breathing more simple as the nose is not under water. Backstroke is also the only competition at the Olympics that starts in the pool itself, unlike other categories where the swimmers have to dive in. Thus, many consider it a very easy way of swimming. This is why it has been compared to racewalking. However, both sports have their own sets of difficulties and must not be undermined. Athletes of both sports work very hard to reach that level.