These notes have been circulated with the permission of Peter Marlow in the UK and appear also in the VRWC Heel & Toe Online 2026 Number 37 – 22 Sept 2026, where Tim Erickson ponders:

The following working paper, put together by a number of insiders, digs under the covers and raises a very worrying question – Is the IOC vision for athletics one that is restricted to the track? If so, what is the likelihood that the roadwalk and marathon will get a guerneys in 2032. With this in mind, I have agreed to include the discussion paper in this week’s newsletter. I am not instituting a campaign but simply passing on a message of concern from those who are in better positions than us to see what lies under the covers here.

For my part I share his anxiety and support the call to action, even if I remain less than convinced that technology is even part of the solution.

Your thoughts are welcomed.