Justice and reward for Tallent

25 March 2016

Australian Sports Commission Chair John Wylie AM has congratulated Australian race walker Jared Tallent and says it’s fitting that he be added to Australia’s illustrious list of Olympic champions.

A ruling by the Court of Arbitration for Sport on a doping case overnight means Tallent can now be awarded the gold medal retrospectively for the 50km event at the 2012 London Olympics.

Watch the London 2012 Olympic Games race

“This is a great day for Jared, it is a win for him, for Australian sport and for clean sport,” Wylie said.

“Australia has a proud Olympic history in track and field and it’s entirely appropriate that Jared is added to our illustrious list of Olympic champions.

“Jared has pursued this result with integrity, patience and poise. It has been a long wait to turn silver into gold and he deserves to celebrate. I also congratulate Athletics Australia’s executive and former Athletics Australia president, David Grace, for their hard work to ensure justice was done.

“The ASC looks forward to confirmation from the IAAF that Jared will receive his deserved gold medal.

“It means Australia won multiple gold medals at the 2012 London Olympics, the first time the nation has done that since 1968. That is a wonderful sign for athletics and we wish Jared the best in his pursuit of more gold at the 2016 Rio Olympics in August.”