When you think of Olympic events, race-walking probably isn’t the first thing that comes to mind. But for Evan Dunfee, it’s been a lifelong passion and a path to international recognition.
As he heads to Paris, representing Canada at his third (and likely final) Olympics, this Richmond, BC native is ready to give it his all.
Dunfee will be the first to acknowledge that race-walking, with its peculiar form, often draws puzzled looks and comments from first-time spectators.
“It looks funny,” he admits in an interview with Daily Hive.
“There are the components of how aerobically challenging it is, and there are technical components. So not only are you pushing yourself to your physiological limits, you have to do that within really strict confinement of rules.”
One more look at that final charge for bronze šØš¦š„ from Canada's Evan Dunfee
His post-race reaction says it ALL š pic.twitter.com/gFu5nYn3Il
— CBC Olympics (@CBCOlympics) August 6, 2021
Despite their unconventional form, race-walking events, which could consist of 50 km-hour-long races in tough conditions, are anything but a walk in the park.
“I think the biggest misconception that people make is they associate weird with easy.”
And in his hometown of Richmond, the 33-year-old’s morning training sessions have become a common sight for locals.
“I’m the only one in Richmond that’s really doing it, so people are driving by, honking their horn. I’ll have people walking their dogs saying, ‘Hey Evan, good luck.'”
However, Dunfee’s choice of sport didn’t always garner a positive reaction from those around him.
“I got ridiculed a lot, made fun a lot growing up as a race-walker. I got into race-walking because I wanted to be the best at something and prove myself to the kids who picked on me.”
Before making history at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, when he won bronze in the 50 km race-walk for Canadaās first-ever Olympic medal in the longest event of the Games, Dunfee also had his fair share of difficult moments on the track.
He recounts the rollercoaster of emotions from the Rio 2016 Olympics, where he finished fourth in the 50 km race-walk, only to be briefly promoted to bronze before a controversial decision reversed it and took him off the podium.
“Reflecting back on that day in Rio, like it was such a whirlwind and you know, you’d never expect the most exhausting part of your day when you race 50k not to be the actual race,” he explains.
"I felt them with me every step of the way"ā¤ļø
Canada's Evan Dunfee reflects on a gruelling race that saw him earn bronze š„ in the men's 50km race walk at #Tokyo2020 pic.twitter.com/JOsS9aXbVb
— CBC Olympics (@CBCOlympics) August 6, 2021
As Dunfee ā who will partake in the Olympic debut of the marathon race-walk mixed relay ā prepares for what he believes will be his last Games, his life is bustling with new endeavours off the track. Running for city council, returning to school, planning a wedding, and sitting on three boards of directors occupy much of his time.
Now, at the tail-end of his career, he’s more focused on leaving a positive legacy in the world of race-walking than standing on a podium.
“I want the sport to be better when I leave it than when I started. And I think we’ve done that, at least in Vancouver.”
As for his strategy to prepare for Paris, the gold medal winner at the 2022 Commonwealth Games is keeping it simple.
“Trust the process, do your best, and know that your best could result in a medal, but if it doesn’t, it’s still your best.”
The 2024 Olympic Games kick off on July 26 and conclude on August 3.
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