Racewalking - in Popular Culture

In Popular Culture

Racewalking is often derided and made fun of as a contrived or "artificial" sport. In 1992 long time Olympic commentator Bob Costas compared it to a competition for who can whisper the loudest.

Film

  • Doctor Detroit (1983) Dan Aykroyd uses racewalking as a vehicle to emphasize his nerdy professor character.
  • Walk Don't Run: A 1966 Cary Grant movie, revolving around race walking at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics.
  • When Harry Met Sally (1989) Billy Crystal walks in Central Park
  • Are We Done Yet?: starring Ice Cube and John C. McGinley, the eccentric jack of all trades contractor who is also a former professional racewalker.

Television

  • Almost Live! features a regular sketch of the Speed Walker, played by Bill Nye as a super hero who fights crime while adhering to the competitive rules.
  • Malcolm in the Middle: Episode #70 (Malcolm Holds His Tongue). Hal takes up racewalking and discovers that one of the competitors had been cheating.

Video games

  • Homestarrunner.com: 50K Racewalker. A game where the player must racewalk 50 kilometers in order to win, requiring more than 20 hours to complete.

Read more about this topic:  Racewalking

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