Athletics Diary

Mexico has a strong tradition in the discipline but Sanchez and Rodriguez didn8217;t finish Wednesday8217;s 50-kilometre walk in the World Championships, and Mercenario was a disappointing 24th.

8220;The federation isn8217;t interested in the walkers,8221; Sanchez said. 8220;They want victories, but they don8217;t support us.8221;

8220;We lack many things,8221; Rodriguez said. 8220;We need more help and when we ask, they make us wait and everything is paperwork.8221;

SECURITY TIGHTENED: Ridiculed when Basque separatist protesters sneaked on stage at the opening ceremony last Friday, Spanish police have clamped down on security.

Fans, journalists and even VIPs were subjected to airport-like security searches. Reporters at some gates waited in long lines as their bags were passed through an X-ray machine and they were ushered through metal detectors.

HOTSTUFF: Even after race-walking 50 kilometers 31 miles under a searing sun for nearly four hours, German Skurygin of Russia still had enough energy for a victory lap.

The 35-year-old grabbed a Russian flag from someone in the stands and jogged around the track, while a flock of photographers had a tough time keeping pace. 8220;It was hard, but not the worst I8217;ve felt in my career,8221; Skurygin said. 8220;When you are winning, you are relaxed.8221;