Sports
Dunfee named to Pan Am Race Walking Cup team
By Don Fennell
Published 12:31 PDT, Tue March 19, 2019
One of Canada’s most beloved Olympians will
be back in the spotlight next month in Mexico.
Richmond’s Evan Dunfee, who epitomized the
Olympic ideals with his show of sportsmanship during the 2016 Summer Games, is
scheduled to compete in the men’s 20-kilometre race at the Pan American Race Walking
Cup next month in Lazaro Cardenas, Mexico.
The two-day event is April 20 and 21.
“I kicked off my 2019 season in Australia and
opened with my best time in the 20-kilometre race walk since 2017,” said
Dunfee, who set a Canadian record in the 50K at the 2016 Summer Games and
placed fourth.
“I plan to compete in Wajima, Japan, one week
earlier in the 50-kilometre race walk as many of the athletes competing in that
event will be vying for the podium in Tokyo. For Mexico, I chose the
20-kilometre event as I wanted to be a part of the team competition as I’d like
to bring home another team medal for Canada. It will be a lot of fun to have
this experience with a younger group. I hope to lead by example and to be
someone they can go to for advice in the days leading up the race.”
Dunfee set the Canadian 20 kilometre race
walk record at the 2014 World Race Walking Cup in one hour, 20 minutes, 13
seconds. It is still his personal best.
A strong KidSport ambassador, last year the
ever-generous Dunfee raised funds in support of the group’s efforts to ensure
all kids are able to play sport. He raised funds by walking 25 kilometres a day
for 25 days.