The reigning European champion Perseus Karlstrom, of Sweden, will face tough European and international competition at the 94th edition of Podebrady Walking, a World Athletics Race Walking Tour – Gold meet.
With three world bronze medals and one silver, Karlstrom will be one of the most decorated athletes on the start line in Czechia on 8 May.
However, he will face tough rivals in European bronze medallist and world race walking cup champion, Francesco Fortunato, and former European silver medallist, Christopher Linke.
Fortunato, of Italy, is more than familiar with the course after winning the 20km race at the European Cup in 2023 before also taking silver in 2025, both in Podebrady.
He also won the elite international meet in 2023 and is a frequent competitor at this competition.
While Linke also has an extensive history with the area, having won gold at the 2017 European Cup Race Walk and then silver in 2023, both in Podebrady.
However, all three will face difficult competition from the reigning 20km Olympic champion, Brian Daniel Pintado of Ecuador, and the reigning 20km world champion, Brazil’s Ciao Bonfim.