Ath: Australian Tallent claims bronze medal in 20km walk

AAP General News (Australia)
08-16-2008
Ath: Australian Tallent claims bronze medal in 20km walk

By Steve Larkin

BEIJING, Aug 16 AAP - Walker Jared Tallent says he couldn't be happier after winning
Australia's first track and field medal at the Beijing Games.

The 23-year-old claimed a bronze medal in the men's 20km walk today, finishing behind
Russian gold medallist Valeriy Borchin and the 1996 Olympic champion Jefferson Perez from
Ecuador.

Australian Luke Adams was sixth, while countryman Chris Erickson was disqualified.

Tallent said it was not until the final two kilometres of the race he began thinking of a medal.

"When Perez took off with about five kilometres to go, I thought that is where the
medals are going to be made, so I went with it," Tallent said.

"And then once those two got away I was always fearful the Italian and Chinese guys
would come over the top of me," he said, referring to Hao Wang (fifth) and Ivano Brugnetti
(sixth).

Tallent held on to snare bronze on Olympic debut.

"I couldn't be more happy, it's an Olympic medal, it was like `you little beauty' -
bronze medal at the Olympics, first time, over the moon," he said.

"There was no pressure on me, I don't think anyone was talking about me winning a medal.

"The athletics team finds it hard to win medals, it's such a tough sport, there is
so much competition.

"So to come out here and win a medal on the second day (of the athletics program),
I couldn't be more happy."

In two weeks Tallent will marry fellow Olympian Claire Woods, who will contest the
women's 20km walk on Thursday. The marriage ceremony will held in the inner Adelaide suburb
of Walkerville.

AAP sl/jmt

KEYWORD: OLY08 ATH WALK SECOND LEAD

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