Australian race walker Jared Tallent wasted no time after Tuesday’s report listing eight Russian Olympic track and field medalists suspected of doping during the Beijing 2008 Olympics.
Tallent starred in a do-it-yourself medal ceremony, receiving the Daegu 2011 World Championships gold medal for the 50km race walk. There was no announcer, there was no national anthem and the medal wasn’t the official Daegu version, but the motivation was clear.
Tallent originally finished third in the 2011 Worlds 50km race walk. One of the Russians named Tuesday -- Denis Nizhegorodov -- finished second. Another Russian, Sergey Bakulin, finished first, but his result was previously disqualified for doping.
That would leave Tallent the champion, which could be made official later this year pending Nizhegorodov’s B sample from 2008 and more processes.
Tallent is already in line to be upgraded from silver to gold in the 2012 Olympic 50km race walk due to Russian doping. There will be a more formal ceremony for Tallent to receive his Olympic gold, on June 17 in Melbourne.
MORE: Russia track and field federation says no past dopers on Rio Olympic team
Not quite Daegu but nevertheless a gold medal ceremony well-deserved for WC11 50kmw @JaredTallent @spikesmag pic.twitter.com/0dlYvhgO9x
— 🌈 patbirgan (@patbirgan) May 24, 2016
It's ok @iaaforg, we got it covered. Officially records now amended for WC11 @JaredTallent pic.twitter.com/943S6uQhM8
— 🌈 patbirgan (@patbirgan) May 24, 2016
History has been rewritten.... I am Olympic champion! pic.twitter.com/eRRCy6zqXt
— Jared Tallent OAM (@JaredTallent) March 24, 2016