Triple Olympic medallist Jared Tallent’s younger sister Rachel books Rio ticket

IT will be a family affair in Rio for the Tallent’s after three-time Olympic medallist Jared coached his younger sister to the national 20km walks title.

24/02/2013 WIRE: HOBART, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 24: Rachel Tallent of AIS competes in the Women 20000 Meters Race Walk during t...

IT will be a family affair in Rio for the Tallent’s after three-time Olympic medallist Jared coached his younger sister to the national 20km walks title.

Rachel Tallent booked her spot on the plane by producing a stunning personal best at the national championships in Adelaide with Queensland’s Dane Bird-Smith claiming the men’s crown.

The 23-year-old, who made her Australian debut at last year’s world championships, took over in the final two kilometres to claim victory in 1hr31min.33sec.

The Tallent family after Jared won silver in London.

“That was very unexpected. I was hoping for top-three today in a pretty quick time, but to come away with the win in a time like that is even better,” Tallent said. “I smashed my previous best by more than two minutes, it is such a confidence boost.”

Three other women went under the A-standard qualifying time — Tanya Holliday (1:32:15), Beki Smith (1:32:49) and Stephanie Stigwood (1:33:45) — but selectors won’t name the final team until after the World Cup in Rome in May.

With Jared Tallent, who is already qualified for Rio in the 50km event, deciding not to compete in the 20km yesterday, Bird-Smith was able to charge over the top of some international visitors over the final lap to win in a personal best 1:20.03 sec.

“That was the perfect race, really. I paced it out with the guys that I needed to go with. It was about winning that Australian title today, nailing the race, and highlighting that in an Olympic year I am ready,” Bird-Smith said.

Bird-Smith is regarded as a medal prospect in Rio after finishing an impressive eighth at last year’s world championships in Beijing.

Originally published as Triple Olympic medallist Jared Tallent’s younger sister Rachel books Rio ticket