THE OFF-SEASON has been tough for some of the world’s leading race walking women – many of whom are already eyeing the final event of the IAAF Race Walking Challenge in Beijing next September when a $30,000 cheque will await the winner.

OLIVE LOUGHNANE has been forced out of this weekend’s Woodies DIY Irish indoor championships at the Odyssey Arena in Belfast with injury.

OLIVE LOUGHNANE has changed coaches and will now train under Stephan Platzer, husband of Norway’s Olympic silver medallist from Sydney, Kjersti Platzer.