SARANSK, Russia — The palatial glass-and-steel Olympic Training Center of the Republic of Mordovia rises from the flattened landscape of this small industrial city in Russia’s rust belt. Saransk does not have much of a profile, even in Russia. Gérard Depardieu bought a house here to escape French taxes. It was once a popular spot for gulags. But it is basically the Russian equivalent of flyover country — unless you happen to be a fan of racewalking.
Racewalking is the peculiar track and field event that elicits snickers every four years when its athletes are seen wiggling toward the finish line in the Summer Olympics.