Jared Tallent forced to withdraw from 20km race walk at the Rio Olympics
AUSTRALIA’S medal hopes have taken an early hit with Jared Tallent forced out of the 20km walk due to a niggling hamstring injury.
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AUSTRALIA’S medal hopes have taken an early hit with Jared Tallent out of the 20km walk.
A niggling hamstring has forced the move but its more of a precautionary measure as the defending Olympic champion in the 50km wants to concentrate on the longer event.
Tallent made the decision after arriving at the team camp in Florida following a heavy training block in St Moritz.
It’s definitely a little bit disappointing but we have to get everything right for the 50k.
Jared Tallent
“I just have a little niggle, its nothing serious or anything I just don’t want to risk it,” Tallent said. “It’s just a precaution. I don’t want to risk with the main aim being the 50k.
“Having a hard race for the 20km might distress the injury a little bit so I’ve decided just to keep it all safe and focus on the main game.”
The Australian team captain is confident the injury won’t impact the 50km event which isn’t until August 19.
“It’s a little niggle in the hamstring, not too serious, just not walking for a couple of days,” Tallent said.
“I’m still running and stuff, but back walking by the weekend. Plenty of time, all the hard work has been done in St. Moritz, just being cautious that’s all.”
Tallent has regularly used the 20km event as a perfect lead-in to getting results in the 50km where he has won silver and gold medals at Olympic Games.
In 2008 he took bronze in the 20km and then won silver in the 50km while at London 2012 he finished seventh in the 20km before eventually being awarded the gold for the 50km.
At last year’s world championships in Beijing, Tallent struggled into 26th in the shorter event before regrouping to finish second in the 50km.
“It’s definitely not the end of the world,” Tallent said.
“I haven’t done the work for the 20k to be competitive, anyway training for the 50k is very different.
“Realistically it was more of a last hitout, to go through the call room, and be on the course but now I have so much experience.
“I have done it so many times at world championships and big events I will be fine.
“I’m glad I have already raced a 50 this year (at the World Cup) so I have a lot of confidence out of that.
“It’s definitely a little bit disappointing but we have to get everything right for the 50k.
“Having a really, really hard hit out like that (in the 20km), I don’t want the chance something might go wrong and I don’t want the risk something could.”
Australia’s has another strong medal hope in the 20km with Dane Bird-Smith, who finished eighth in Beijing last year.
Originally published as Jared Tallent forced to withdraw from 20km race walk at the Rio Olympics
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