A projected budget is in the approval stage. The successfully developed electronic DQ reporting system as used in the 1995 World Championship, is being recommended for continued usage by the IAAF Walking Committee. Unfortunately, Atlanta did not get the system for the Olympics Games. However, it will be used at World Cup and World Championship. The upgraded IAAF race walking handbook will include information on technical areas, including lap scoring and meet management.
Plans continue to identify ways to improve judging.
The recommendation to increase the women's standard international distance from 10km to 20Km, starting 1999, was approved. No change was recommended for the junior women's distance of 5Km, because they didn't want to discourage developing junior program. Bob also commented on continued problem of the IAAF Walking Committee's recommendation for judging panels being ignored. It is hoped that in a more formalized process for selecting judges, political considerations will play a lesser role in judge selection. RW Chair Rob Cole presented an award to Joe Rogers for all his work with Olympic Trials in LaGrange, Georgia.