Evan Dunfee is hardly resting on his laurels as the Pan Am Games gold medalist gets back to work at the IAAF World Track and Field Championships in Beijing.
Fresh off winning gold in Toronto, the 24-year-old race walker from Richmond will be seeing double duty for Canada. Dunfee will not only be competing in Sunday’s 20 km event, he will be back on the streets Aug. 29 for the 50 km race as well.
It marks the first time he is tackling both distances on a major international stage and reflects the progress in his promising career. Thanks to his gold medal performance at the Pan Am Games and top 20 world ranking, Dunfee is a virtual lock for the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Rio. Only an injury would keep him from competing in the 20 km event.
Now he is ready to begin work on the 50 km as well — a distance most athletes typically don’t peak at until their 30s.
“The timing of the races makes it possible but only very select few will actually do both,” said Dunfee who enjoyed some time at home before heading overseas. “Typically you will only see the top 10 (in the world) do it on a regular basis.
“It’s crucial that I start getting experience. There are no real expectations. Realistically I’m shooting for the 2020 Olympics. That’s the plan.”
Dunfee didn’t compete in the 50 km event in Toronto but did his best to try and simulate what his preparation would be like for Beijing. He does admit he was sidetracked by winning gold and the notoriety that came with the achievement.
“The intention was to simulate my recovery but it didn’t go exactly as planned. Between TV appearances and watching other events, there were a lot of distractions but I wouldn’t trade that experience again for anything.”
