Olga Kaniskina on her way to the World Race Walking Cup 20km title in Cheboksary (© IAAF.org)
The formidable Russian trio will take some stopping led by reigning world champion Olga Kaniskina. The Russian has dominated the event for the past couple of seasons and reaffirmed her superiority by winning the World Cup in Cheboksary in May by some 47 seconds from countrywoman Tatyana Sibileva.
Sibileva will also pose a major threat. The 28-year-old is in the form of her life and lowered her personal best by more than a minute this year after recording 1:26:16 at the national championships.
The third and final place on the powerful Russian team belongs to 18-year-old prodigy Tatyana Kalmykova. The two-time World Youth 5km champion booked her ticket for Beijing by posting 1:26:36 in Saransk in June.
Besides the Russians, European champion Ryta Turava of Belarus boasts a consistent championship record and earlier this year was an impressive winner in Krakow (1:28:33).
Another threat is Maria Vasco, the winner of the Olympic bronze at the 2000 Sydney Olympics and fifth place finisher in the World Cup earlier this year.
Norwegian veteran Kjersti Platzer, 36, remains a dogged competitor. She landed Olympic silver in 2000 and is unbeaten in three races over the 20km distance this year.
The Portuguese duo Vera Santos, the 2008 World Cup bronze medallist, and 2005 World Championships bronze medallist Susana Feitor should present a strong challenge.
The defending champion Athanasia Tsoumeleka of Greece is also entered, although her recent form suggests she will be hard pushed to emulate her achievements in Athens after finishing 14th in the World Cup in May.
Ukrainian veteran Vira Zazulyn advanced her personal best to 1:27:27 to land her national title earlier this year and should she show similar form in Beijing the 37-year-old may also be in the fight for medals.
Steve Landells for the IAAF
