Jared Tallent replaces Sally Pearson as Australian athletics Olympic captain

WALKER Jared Tallent has replaced fellow gold medallist Sally Pearson as captain of the Australian athletics team for the Rio Olympics.

Jared Tallent will captain Australia’s Olympic athletic team. Picture: Getty Images

RACE walker Jared Tallent has replaced fellow gold medallist Sally Pearson as captain of the Australian athletics team for the Rio Olympics.

“It’s a huge honour to represent your country, but to lead the athletics team takes that to another level,” Tallent said.

Hurdler Pearson will miss next month’s games due to a hamstring injury.

“My sights are firmly set on the future, although it is heartbreaking and devastating that I can’t be in Rio as the Olympic champion and try and run 100 per cent and be proud to represent my country.

“(But) it’s just not going to happen this year as my body is not allowing it.”

Tallent was belatedly awarded the 50km walk gold medal from the 2012 London Games after Russian Sergey Kirdyapkin was stripped of the title for a doping offence.