# White Russians have ideal genetics for racewalking **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [August 9, 2013, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-russians-have-ideal-genetics-for-racewalking/665820 "2013-08-09T18:12:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2013, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-russians-have-ideal-genetics-for-racewalking/665820/1 "2013-08-09T18:12:11Z")
Re this story [Walking Funny and Fast Puts Russia City on Map](http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/09/world/europe/walking-funny-and-fast-puts-russia-city-on-map.html?pagewanted=all). Like Jamaicans in the sprinting races the it’s pretty obvious that these Russians have the ideal genetics for race walking otherwise there would not be this concentration of race walking dominance. It’s simple biology. Some have hypothesized that a Russian Baron mated one of his ["Smerdy"](http://www.strangelove.net/~kieser/Russia/titlesclasses.html)male serfs who was especially good at hunting wolves over long distances to a sturdy “Zakupy” housekeeper to get this ideal genetic mix. > [@](#): > > It is telling of Russia’s approach to sports that when the Friday night lights come on in Saransk, the town’s heroes are not muscle-bound football players, or even dashing soccer aces, but demure and willowy young women who walk funny. > > And these women have this town’s unwavering respect: they have shown a fearsome ability to cream any challengers, even the Chinese, the rising world power in men’s race walking. > > Four of the five top-ranked female distance race walkers in the world are from Saransk, an otherwise unremarkable city of about 310,000 people 320 miles southeast of Moscow. > > In previous years, before the Chinese surged, 9 of the top 12 female 20-kilometer race walkers were from here. > > Today in International Association of Athletics Federation rankings, Russian and Chinese women hold the top 11 spots, followed by Marina Ortiz of Guatemala. And at the group’s World Championships, opening in Moscow on Saturday, Russia is expecting big things in women’s race walking. ---
**Author:** ![74westy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/74westy/32/3950_2.png) [@74westy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/74westy)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2013, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-russians-have-ideal-genetics-for-racewalking/665820/2 "2013-08-09T18:35:21Z")
Have you actually ever seen anyone racewalking? It’s undignified. I don’t think this is something I’d be proud of or want people to know about. ---
**Author:** ![Filbert](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/filbert/32/3433_2.png) [@Filbert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Filbert)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2013, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-russians-have-ideal-genetics-for-racewalking/665820/3 "2013-08-09T18:45:36Z")
Huh. After a few white russians I have trouble with any kind of walking. ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2013, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-russians-have-ideal-genetics-for-racewalking/665820/4 "2013-08-09T18:47:28Z")
Lebowski, is that you? ---
**Author:** ![njtt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ecd19e/32.png) [@njtt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/njtt)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2013, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-russians-have-ideal-genetics-for-racewalking/665820/5 "2013-08-09T20:42:24Z")
> [@astro](#): > > Like Jamaicans in the sprinting races the it’s pretty obvious that these Russians have the ideal genetics for race walking otherwise there would not be this concentration of race walking dominance. It’s simple biology. It is a damn sight more likely to be cultural. There is, for some reason, a tradition of race walking competition in this city, so people get a lot of practice and get good at it, and those who do happen to be best physiologically adapted to it (whether for genetic or other reasons) rise to the top, whereas in another city they might not ever even _think_ to try race walking. The notion that all or most differences in human abilities comes down to genetics is quite false and really quite pernicious. Most such differences arise from differences in culture or personal history. With rare exceptions (Kenyan distance runners may be one) genetics usually plays only a relatively minor, secondary role. ---
**Author:** ![YogSothoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/8edcca/32.png) [@YogSothoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YogSothoth)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2013, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-russians-have-ideal-genetics-for-racewalking/665820/6 "2013-08-09T21:04:59Z")
[This](http://www.eatdrinkandrun.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/arpic3.jpg) is what I imagine whenever I see racewalking ---
**Author:** ![swampbear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/swampbear/32/467_2.png) [@swampbear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampbear)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2013, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-russians-have-ideal-genetics-for-racewalking/665820/7 "2013-08-09T22:21:19Z")
In 1996 when Atlanta hosted the Summer Olympics, the racewalkers trained in my hometown which is located 60 miles southwest of Atlanta. It was quite a site seeing racewalkers doing their thing all over town. ---
**Author:** ![snowthx](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowthx/32/10660_2.png) [@snowthx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowthx)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2013, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-russians-have-ideal-genetics-for-racewalking/665820/8 "2013-08-09T22:30:34Z")
I don’t know about race-walking, but the town makes rugs that really tie the room together. ---
**Author:** ![Darryl\_Lict](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7cd45c/32.png) [@Darryl\_Lict](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darryl_Lict)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2013, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-russians-have-ideal-genetics-for-racewalking/665820/9 "2013-08-09T22:45:52Z")
> [@74westy](#): > > Have you actually ever seen anyone racewalking? It’s undignified. I don’t think this is something I’d be proud of or want people to know about. Yeah, maybe Russians in that town have a genetic propensity towards a complete lack of dignity. That activity actually pisses me off. What purpose does it actually serve? Would you walk that way if a lion was chasing you? ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2013, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-russians-have-ideal-genetics-for-racewalking/665820/10 "2013-08-09T23:07:52Z")
I remember the racewalking events from the 2012 Olympic Games. There would be an apparent winner but then upon careful review of the tapes officials discovered that the “athlete” had both feet off the ground at the same time, resulting in disqualification. It’s a silly sport to look at and this sort of thing doesn’t help. ---
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2013, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-russians-have-ideal-genetics-for-racewalking/665820/11 "2013-08-09T23:51:01Z")
I bet racewalkers don’t abuse PEDs as much. I have no proof of course. Here’s a cute little intro video: [http://running.competitor.com/2012/01/video/what-is-race-walking\_46361](http://running.competitor.com/2012/01/video/what-is-race-walking_46361) ---
**Author:** ![snowthx](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowthx/32/10660_2.png) [@snowthx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowthx)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2013, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-russians-have-ideal-genetics-for-racewalking/665820/12 "2013-08-09T23:53:37Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > I remember the racewalking events from the 2012 Olympic Games. There would be an apparent winner but then upon careful review of the tapes officials discovered that the “athlete” had both feet off the ground at the same time, resulting in disqualification. It’s a silly sport to look at and this sort of thing doesn’t help. In my area we have a half marathon event in the spring that has both a running course and a “walking” course. Both are timed. For the walking half marathon, you are not supposed to run, otherwise any average runner will win. A friend was not up for the running event and did the walking event and decided to jog for a few sections. Other walkers where shouting at her “Hey! No running!!”. I think she got 10th overall. I understand the rule to be that in race-walking, you must have one foot on the ground at all times (hence the waddling). In the Olympics in London, I recall seeing them give competitors a “time-out” if they were caught waddling too fast and hopped between steps. Yes, they have course monitors to watch each “athlete”, and there was a penalty box where they had to stay for whatever the penalty was. It is a strange sport. ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2013, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-russians-have-ideal-genetics-for-racewalking/665820/13 "2013-08-10T01:20:42Z")
> [@YogSosoth](#): > > [This](http://www.eatdrinkandrun.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/arpic3.jpg) is what I imagine whenever I see racewalking I think of Bill Nye. ---
**Author:** ![jsquire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ce73a5/32.png) [@jsquire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsquire)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2013, 9:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-russians-have-ideal-genetics-for-racewalking/665820/14 "2013-08-11T09:09:36Z")
> [@levdrakon](#): > > I bet racewalkers don’t abuse PEDs as much. I have no proof of course. > > Here’s a cute little intro video: [Rock 'n' Roll Running Series](http://running.competitor.com/2012/01/video/what-is-race-walking_46361) They dope about as much as any other group of endurance athletes. Five Russians got banned all at once in 2008, for example. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2013, 10:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-russians-have-ideal-genetics-for-racewalking/665820/15 "2013-08-11T10:19:26Z")
> [@Darryl\_Lict](#): > > Yeah, maybe Russians in that town have a genetic propensity towards a complete lack of dignity. That activity actually pisses me off. What purpose does it actually serve? Would you walk that way if a lion was chasing you? In my case it would be a lot more effective than trying to run. I’ve been known to go for a walk and say “gosh, I’m kind of tired” after 3h; I’ve been known to walk 10km in under 1h… but make me run and I just can’t. ---
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2013, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-russians-have-ideal-genetics-for-racewalking/665820/16 "2013-08-11T16:37:31Z")
> [@jsquire](#): > > They dope about as much as any other group of endurance athletes. Five Russians got banned all at once in 2008, for example. Really? That’s sad. Not as sad as say, the bowling team steroiding up, but still sad. ---
**Author:** ![mbh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a6a055/32.png) [@mbh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mbh)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2013, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-russians-have-ideal-genetics-for-racewalking/665820/17 "2013-08-11T17:44:29Z")
Interesting, but I feel obligated to nitpick the thread title. > **[White Russia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_Russian)** > > White Russia, White Russian, or Russian White may refer to: > **[White Russia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_Russia)** > > White Russia, White Russian, or Russian White may refer to: > **[White movement](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_Movement)** > > Factions: > Latvian SSR CWP of Estonia Mongolian People's Party Chinese communists > Makhnovschyna > Green armies > Left SRs > The White movement (Russian: pre–1918 Бѣлое движеніе / post–1918 Белое движение, tr. Beloye dvizheniye, IPA: \[ˈbʲɛləɪ dvʲɪˈʐenʲɪɪ\])\[a\] also known as the Whites (Бѣлые / Белые, Beliye), was a loose confederation of anti-communist forces that fought the communist Bolsheviks, also known as the Reds, in the Russian Civil War (1917–1923) and that to a lesser extent continued oper... > **[Old Believers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Believers)** > > Old Believers or Old Ritualists\[a\] are Eastern Orthodox Christians who maintain the liturgical and ritual practices of the Russian Orthodox Church as they were before the reforms of Patriarch Nikon of Moscow between 1652 and 1666. Resisting the accommodation of Russian piety to the contemporary forms of Greek Orthodox worship, these Christians were anathematized, together with their ritual, in a Synod of 1666–67, producing a division in Eastern Europe between the Old Believers and those who follo... “White Russian” can refer to Belarus. Saransk is in Great Russia, not White Russia. “White Russian” can refer to the anti-Bolshevik “White Movement”, or to the religious “Old Believers”, neither of which is mentioned in the article. Anal retentiveness over. We now return you to your regularly scheduled thread. ---
**Author:** ![Merneith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/57b2e6/32.png) [@Merneith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merneith)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2013, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-russians-have-ideal-genetics-for-racewalking/665820/18 "2013-08-11T20:16:13Z")
He means ‘white’ as in white skinned, not any of the traditional “White Russian” appellations. He’s saying that these white-skinned Russians obviously have some genetic advantage that makes them premier race walkers, and they’re white skinned, therefore it’s not racist to assume that the black skinned Jamaican sprinters have some genetic advantage tied to their black skin. Of course, he’s wrong about the ‘obvious genetic advantage’ part - as demonstrated by the fact that Chinese racers are starting to take over - and also wrong about the ridiculous idea that the people of Saransk were ‘mated’ to produce fast walking white skinned serfs - because why would anyone bother. And he’s ignoring the whole history of racist assumptions that black people are athletic because they’re more animalistic than non-blacks. And he’s ignoring the whole ‘nurture’ part of the equation. But some people are really fixated on the idea that black people are genetically different than white people and will go to any lengths to try and find excuses for it. Some ‘white’ people, I should say. ---
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2013, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-russians-have-ideal-genetics-for-racewalking/665820/19 "2013-08-11T20:25:17Z")
I thought the OP was being snarky. ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2013, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-russians-have-ideal-genetics-for-racewalking/665820/20 "2013-08-11T20:32:13Z")
> [@Merneith](#): > > But some people are really fixated on the idea that black people are genetically different than white people and will go to any lengths to try and find excuses for it. Some ‘white’ people, I should say. Don’t be a hater! You can’t tell me that if you mate a rangy wolf hunter with a husky serf that Cossack magic isn’t going to happen! [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-russians-have-ideal-genetics-for-racewalking/665820.md?page=2)