Victoria’s Jared Tallent for the role of Australian flag bearer at the Rio Olympic Games

SPORTING greats have nominated Adelaide’s Jared Tallent for the role of Australian flag bearer at the Rio Olympic Games.

Tallent has emerged as one of the favourites weeks after being awarded a belated Gold Medal. Picture: Getty

• Jared Tallent’s long walk to golden glory

SPORTING greats have nominated Adelaide’s Jared Tallent for the role of Australian flag bearer at the Rio Olympic Games.

The man or woman to march our sporting heroes into the Olympic Stadium during the opening ceremony next month will be announced in Melbourne tomorrow.

Tallent, who was born in Ballart and lives in Adelaide, has emerged as one of the favourites for the role, weeks after finally being awarded a Gold Medal from the London Games initially given to a Russian drug cheat.

Triple Olympic Gold Medallist James Tomkins, who carried the Australian flag at the 2008 Olympics, said Tallent would be an “exceptional’’ choice.

“The way he has persevered despite being presented with such a dramatically wrong situation and plugged away speaks volumes,’’ he said.

“He’s quite graciously got on with the job and not complained.

“What he has demonstrated is absolutely what Australian sport and the role of flag bearer is all about.’’

Cycling queen Anna Meares, injured Gold Medallist Sally Pearson, swimming star Cate Campbell and hockey veteran Jamie Dwyer also loom as contenders for the role.

Five-time Olympian Andrew Gaze said Australian Olympic Chef de Mission Kitty Chiller had a tough decision to make for a role he considered one of the highlights of his career.

But Gaze, who led Australia out at the Sydney 2000 Games, said Tallent was a strong candidate for the “extreme honour” and his selection as flag bearer could help restore some faith in sport.

“It would certainly be a great statement for him with the hardship he has gone through,’’ he said.

“There are a lot of worthy individuals but he would certainly compliment the role.’’

Tallent was awarded a retrospective 50km walk Gold Medal in Melbourne last month after the winner of the London Games, Sergey Kirdyapkin, was disqualified for doping.

The flag bearer will be announced at a ceremony at Federation Square at 8am tomorrow.

Previous flag bearers Lauren Jackson, diver Jenny Donnet and Tomkins will form a guard of honour for the new recipient.

Retired basketball star Jackson, who led the last Aussie Olympic team out in 2012, will hand over the flag in a ceremonial gesture.

Tallent, who has won a medal at every major championship since 2008, could become the second Aussie to win Olympic gold twice in track and field and the first since Edwin Flack 120 years ago.

He is Australia’s best track and field medal hope in the absence of Pearson.

Twitter: @rolfep

Originally published as Victoria’s Jared Tallent for the role of Australian flag bearer at the Rio Olympic Games