Vera Aleksandrovna Sokolova is a Russian race walker.
Vera Sokolova (2013)
Race walking, or racewalking, is a long-distance discipline within the sport of athletics. Although a foot race, it is different from running in that one foot must appear to be in contact with the ground at all times. Race judges carefully assess that this is maintained throughout the race. Typically held on either roads or running tracks, common distances range from 3,000 metres (1.9 mi) up to 100 kilometres (62.1 mi).
Race walkers at the U.S. World Cup Trials in 1987
Men's 20 km walk during the 2005 World Championships in Athletics in Helsinki, Finland. The walker at the right appears to be illegal in that both feet are off the ground, but according to the current rules, an infraction is only committed when the loss of contact is visible to the human eye.
Shaul Ladany (centre), in 1969
A racewalker "flying" (entirely out of contact with the ground, a rule violation)