The International Association of Athletics Federations technical delegate Luis Saladie has claimed the Rio 2016 race walk will be one of the most beautiful in Olympic history ©Alexandre Vidal/Rio 2016

The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) technical delegate Luis Saladie has claimed the Rio 2016 race walks will be among the most beautiful in Olympic history after seeing Claudio Flores lead an Ecuadorian podium sweep in the discipline’s test event.

The two kilometre circuit runs along the coast next to Pontal island, west of Barra da Tijuca, where the largest Rio 2016 venue cluster is situated.

It has had a new asphalt surface laid for the Games, which was tested along with the operations centre, race logistics, timing, results technology and security.

"The surface was very good, it turned out perfect," said Saladie, who will be head referee during the Rio 2016 Games.

"Of course the circuit will have to be a bit wider, because we had less than 20 competitors, and at the Games we will have 60.

"The scenery is so beautiful.

"I think it will be the most beautiful Olympic race walk since I started working in the Games at Barcelona 1992." 

Only seven of the 18 starters managed to complete the 50km men’s race, which began in temperatures of 30 degrees and rising. 

Flores crossed the line first in 4 hours 23min 37sec followed by fellow Ecuadorians Rolando Saquipay and Jonnathan Cáceres Cabreram with times of 4:34:09 and 4:46:21 respectively.

Racing at sea level in severe heat did not allow for a realistic chance of gaining the Olympic qualifying standard of 4:06:00.

Ecuador's Claudio Flores claimed victory at the Rio 2016 race walk test event
Ecuador's Claudio Flores claimed victory at the Rio 2016 race walk test event ©Alexandre Vidal/Rio 2016

Brazil’s Samir Sabadin passed out at the 41km mark and, despite trying to return to the race after being treated by ambulance staff, he was unable to do so.

"The surface is very good," said Flores.

"It was the temperature that was too much."

The test event marked the second day of the 2016 Brazil Race Walk Cup, part of the South American Championships, although a handful foreign guests also competed.

Rio 2016 athletics manager Martinho Nobre declared it a success.

"The course, which has already been approved by the IAAF, had to be tested by athletes, and they said it was excellent and will be fast," he said.

"Of course we didn’t have great times because of the heat, but those who competed today are all winners.

"And in terms of the technology and electronic timing, everything worked perfectly."

The three race walk events at the Olympics, the men's 20km, women's 20km and men's 50km, will be open to the public without tickets.