BID GUIDEWORLD ATHLETICSRACE WALKING TEAM
CHAMPIONSHIPS
2026 + 2028
October 2023

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WE

AREWORLD

ATHLETICS
With over 3.5 million athletes, 214 Member Federations andas the #1 Olympic sport - we are the international governing
body for the sport of athletics representing all things running,jumping, throwing and walking.

And, just like society, we are changing fast.

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Our vision is to use the power and accessibility of athletics
and our athletes to create a healthier and fitter world. We exist
to grow the sport of athletics and make it relevant in people’s
lives and in the lives of their communities.

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The World Athletics Series

The Power of Walking

When it comes to competitions, we have our crown jewels: theWorld Athletics Series events. WAS for short.

The power of walking is infinite - walking is the most popular exercise activity in the world and it
can support healthier, safer and more sustainable communities.

The WAS events include seven of the highest-profile global
championships in the sport. Each WAS event is carefully
designed to bring unique experiences to life. The goal issimple: the world’s best athletes, in iconic places, to inspire
people on and off the track, field and road.

Research has shown that walking can help people live healthier and longer. A walking routine, if
done properly, has all the standard benefits of aerobic exercise such as improvements in the heartand circulatory systems, better blood glucose control, normalisation of blood pressure, it canalso slow or decrease cognitive decline, as well as reduce anxiety and depression. As the mostaccessible way to meet the recommended physical activity levels, it is little wonder that walking
is getting a great deal of attention from public policymakers at all levels. Major cities around theworld are also increasingly assessing their ‘walkability’, a term that refers to how safe, convenientand efficient it is to walk in an urban environment.

At World Athletics we are committed to creating globallyappealing, accessible events that deliver real benefits tohost cities.
Boosting the local economy, promoting active lifestyles,
driving sport tourism, inspiring the youth, putting existing
infrastructure to good use, celebrating local culture, fostering
sport entrepreneurship, getting cities on the map, creating alegacy of sport volunteering, bringing society together: we canhelp you achieve your identified goals.

The World Athletics Race Walking Team Championships requires minimum build and is the mostsustainable event in the World Athletics Series family. With walking the focus, host cities can
showcase pedestrianised areas and paths, as well as incorporating green and active transport as acentral feature of the event.
Power walking, speed walking, fitness walking. Race walking has many names and personalities.
It can be rhythmic and eccentric fitting for a festival atmosphere, and yet the race pace andtechnical intensity demonstrates a narrative of resilience. Whichever way your host city chooses
to characterise it, this event will likely capture attention, challenge perceptions and shift lifestyle
habits in favour of walking.
The World Athletics Race Walking Team Championships aims to highlight both the walkability andunique features of your host city and it could be the perfect catalyst to move things forward foryour community, one step at a time.

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Introducing the World Athletics Race Walking TeamChampionships

The World Athletics Race Walking Team Championships invites the top racers in the world tocompete in a total of eight official World Championships in senior men’s and women’s, as well as
U20 men’s and women’s events, held over one day.
We are also delighted to confirm that the World Masters Championships will be included in thisprogramme. We are happy to work with hosts on expanding the programme further by including
additional walking-related opportunities that hosts feel would contribute to both the profile ofthe event and their community, based on local preferences.
The accessibility and globalised nature of this competition allows any nation in the world toparticipate and to be truly competitive. The field of racers and the medals table is as diverse as
it gets in elite athletics. The competition is wide open for anyone to stake a claim in becoming
the latest World Champion.
All the action takes place on a flat 1-2km loop course. The versatility of the course allows thisevent to adapt to any location in a walkable city, whether it takes place on a popular beachpromenade, incorporates a city landmark or even passes through a facade. This is street racing
and is designed as an event for the people, appealing to curious passers-by, spectators andrecreational participants of all ages and abilities.

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Bids are now open for the next two editions of the World Athletics Race Walking TeamChampionships which will take place in 2026 and 2028 respectively. Read on to learn more.

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89Benefits to the Host City

To review the World Athletics Race Walking Team Championships in more detail it is worth
considering the potential benefits to the host city across economic, social and environments
pillars, as well as its impact on image and reputation of the event coverage and event legacy.

Total Direct Economic Impact
The profile and scale of the World Athletics Race Walking Team Championships make it well
positioned to deliver meaningful returns on investment. Alongside event organisers, official
event attendees (including competitors and team officials, competition officials, media andbroadcasting personnel, sponsors, suppliers, technical suppliers and volunteers) spectators andrecreational participants all bring inbound spending power to stimulate a host city’s economy.
See below a snapshot of the projected economic impact of the next edition of the World
Athletics Race Walking Team Championships based on previous World Athletics Series data:

Event Organiser and Event Attendees:
OriginNumber

Percentage

Host City & National

474

35%

International

887

65%

Total

1,361-

OriginNumber

Percentage

Host City

5,188

52%

National

3,615

36%Spectators:

Event Organiser Spend$ 874,209

International

1,197

12%

Official Event Attendee Spend$ 712,550

Total

10,000-Spectator Spend$ 1,049,850

Mass Participation Spend$ 337,438

Total Direct Economic Impact$ 2,974,047

OriginNumber

Percentage

Host City

1,950

26%

National

4,800

64%

International

750

10%

Total

7,500

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Tourism Impact
The World Athletics Race Walking Team Championships offers an excellent opportunity toengage the local community and demonstrate a host city’s culture and creativity - whether it’smusic, dance, art or all of the above.

Mass Participants:

See below a snapshot of the projected tourism impact of the next edition of the World Athletics
Race Walking Team Championships based on previous World Athletics Series data:

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Social Impact
Based on an Impact Study from previous World Athletics Series event data:

Health & Well-Being
The World Athletics Race Walking Team Championships aims to increase awareness of
exercise benefits and facilities in the host city. 43% of spectators that attended the previousedition of this event said it had inspired them to do more active recreation or sport than theywould normally.

Generating Civic Pride• 94% of local residents felt proud that their city hosted the World Athletics Race Walking
Team Championships.
• 94% of local residents agreed that hosting the World Athletics Race Walking TeamChampionships showcased the host city as a positive and vibrant city.
• 74% of local residents agreed that hosting the World Athletics Race Walking TeamChampionships had a positive impact on the host city’s community.

Diversity & InclusionⒸ Getty Images• Athletics is colour-blind and gender-balanced, offering equal opportunities to athletes fromall walks of life and all races and creeds. We have complete gender equality on the field ofplay (including equal prize money for men and women) and we are working swiftly towards
gender equality in our governance structures.
• World Athletics has a gender equal Council. World Athletics has pursued a policy oftransgender inclusivity whilst maintaining a level playing field for all female athletes.
• Finally, fans at the World Athletics Race Walking Team Championships are split very nearly onan equal basis too, comprising around 51% male and 49% female.

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Environmental Impact
Environmental Quality of the Event
In recognition of the environmental challenges faced by cities today, specifically air pollution,
climate change and over consumption of resources, and of the growing scrutiny under which
the event industry is placed, World Athletics will work with hosts to implement a sustainability
management system. This will help demonstrate to all stakeholders a real, walk-the-talkcommitment to minimising the event’s environmental impact. World Athletics is also committed toworking with cities to promote environmental initiatives within the wider community.

Air Quality ProjectAs part of World Athletics’ continuing programme to measure air quality in host cities andsporting venues around the world, World Athletics’ Health & Science Department with thesupport of the local organising committee measure clinical and environmental data at the World
Athletics Series events.

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By publishing air quality from our events, World Athletics hopes to encourage athletes,
recreational runners, cities, local and national governments and member federations to become
more conscious of air quality and the impact that it has on health and performance.

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Image & Event Reputation

Additional Opportunities
World Athletics encourages hosts to extend the impact of the World Athletics Race Walking
Team Championships beyond the competition period into a festival of movement. This event canalso provide an opportunity for a range of side events including:

Event Coverage
The World Athletics Series are among the most eagerly anticipated events in the annual
sporting calendar. The World Athletics Race Walking Team Championships is broadcast in every
country in the world (TV and digital via World Athletics Livestream in dark territories) and web
impressions are expected to grow exponentially as World Athletics expands its digital profile.
A focus on live streaming, the introduction of new fan engagement initiatives and an enhanced
range of exclusive behind-the-scenes multimedia content are all part of World Athletics’commitment to connecting the event, the hosts and our athletes with new audiences online,
ensuring every future edition will connect with more people in a powerful and meaningful way.

Event Legacy

Mass Participation
Mass participation races allow recreational walkers and runners to race in the footsteps of theworld’s best, surrounded by cheering spectators and their loved ones.

Clinics and Training Sessions
Custom-made, low barrier entry training programmes can be rolled out locally and nationallythrough local athletics clubs and communities. World Athletics will contribute through its
network and expertise, for example facilitating access to past and present athletes, anddesigning race walking and running programmes tailored to the needs of the host and its
community.

We understand the importance of creating a legacy after the show is over, and we will work withyou to deliver exactly what you need to inspire all ages and abilities to get moving and bringcommunities closer together.

School Engagement

Schools - Athletics legends can visit schools to share the positive effect of exercise generally.
Workshops and youth championships can help establish long term development pathways forthe next generation of athletes.

School-based training and competitions will provide a healthy and engaging activity for schoolclasses to connect with and promote the event. National youth and school races can be held
alongside the main event.

Volunteers – Local residents and sports enthusiasts can play a part in the event experiencethrough volunteering which will boost future athletics hosting opportunities.

Visitor Travel Packages

Walking culture – The event legacy can make good use of the walkable city infrastructure tonurture a greater walking culture in the host city.

Tourism travel packages and activities can be created for participants and spectators toenhance their experience and encourage visitors to extend their time in the host city. Theseactivities could feature special walking tours of a host city or region.

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Event-associated eLearning Initiatives

The indicative Event Budget for the World Athletics Race Walking Team Championships is circa
USD $ 1,000,000, but it will vary according to local costs and conditions.

Host staff and volunteers will have the opportunity to access the World Athletics’ eLearning
platform which offers sport and event-related educational tools (with modules including
marketing, event presentation, communication, project management and fan engagement) thataim to upskill locals in the host city.

11. Other 5%
10. Technology 1%
9. Media 2%

1. Event Planning 7%

Other Activations
8. Host Broadcaster 20%

As well as the above, former hosts have increased engagement with the following activation
opportunities:
••
••••
•

‘Year-to-go’ countdown events
Athlete engagement events
Walking and Wellbeing exhibition
Parkrun partnerships
Conferences and summits
Walking Alliances
Concerts and local festivals

2. Logistics 37%

7. Marketing & Sponsorship 11%

Revenue Potential
6. Hospitality 3%

There are a number of revenue streams available to event organisers, beyond public funding:11%

20%

2%

1%

5%

9. Media

10. Technology

11. Other

4. Additional Events

3%

8. Host Broadcaster3. Event management
3. and Presentation

7%

7. Marketing & Sponsorship4%

6. Hospitality

3%

5. Medical & Anti-Doping37%

2. Logistics(b) Additional Events:• Mass participation registration fees
• Walking and Wellbeing exhibition floorspace• Fees from clinics and training sessions• Travel packages and local hotel commissions• Sport conference admission tickets

7%

1. Event Planning(a) The World Athletics Race Walking Team Championships:• National sponsorship*• Merchandising*• Concession revenues (food and beverage etc.)

3. Event management and Presentation 3%
4. Additional Events 4%

5. Medical & Anti-Doping 7%*Subject to the Category Release Agreement being concluded with Dentsu1

1 World Athletics has appointed Dentsu as its exclusive global marketing partner and granted Dentsu certain commercial rights
relating to the World Athletics Race Walking Team Championships.

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Bidding Requirements

Based on the World Athletics’ Global Calendar, the preferred date for the World Athletics RaceWalking Team Championships is April or May, but we may be open to other dates.

Bidding Process

The host city needs to be accessible to teams and equipment travelling from all parts of theworld, so reasonable proximity to an international airport is essential.

If you are interested in hosting either the 2026 or 2028 edition of the World Athletics Race
Walking Team Championships - please download a Pre-Qualification Form (available on ourwebsite) and submit this by close of business on the deadline set out below.

There are no hosting fees, but there are mandatory costs payable by hosts to World Athletics
relating to various services provided such as accreditation, access control, event presentation,
the website and the Host Broadcaster.

Bidding calendar for the 2026 and 2028 World Athletics Race Walking Team Championships

Sports Requirements

Bid Process Stage

Timeline

Official Launch & Bid Guide shared

October 2023

Pre-Qualification Form Submission Deadline

19 January 2024

The course loop for the World Athletics Race Walking Team Championships must be no shorter
than 1km and no longer than 2km. It must comply with the requirements of rule 54.11 of theTechnical Rules and be designed in accordance with the recommendations contained in theWorld Athletics publication “Race Walking – A Guide to Judging and Organising”. Hosts mustalso provide training areas and a warm-up area at the venue.

Bid Application Documents Submission Deadline

10 May 2024

Bid Application Documents Final Submission
Deadline

31 May 2024

Event awarded by Council

August 2024

Hosts will be responsible for providing all technical and functional facilities at the venue,
including athletes’ changing rooms, call room, mixed zone, a gathering area for medal ceremonies,
doping control station, recorders’ booth, technical information centre and competition
information desks.

If you would like to discuss the World Athletics Race Walking Team Championships in moredetail including the competition, additional opportunities and the Pre-Qualification Form, youcan contact us on bidding@worldathletics.org, where you can also send your completed PreQualification Form.

Hosts will also be responsible for the installation of a video screen for the public showing of thetelevision signal, a quality sound system and event decoration, as well as ensuring a reliable andmodern communications system.

Official Hotels and Meeting Rooms
Hosts will be required to provide a shortlist of official hotels available for the following clientgroups in the Bid Application Form.
•••••

World Athletics Family and Partners
Athletes and Team Officials
Media
Host BroadcasterTechnical Suppliers and Service ProvidersⒸ Getty Images

Further information on numbers and duration will be provided at a later stage in the Event
Organisation Agreement.

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