Tallent looking for a medal as Deakes makes return

Dual Olympic medallist Jared Tallent has in recent days joined almost all of the Australian Flame team in the IAAF world championships athlete village, with the star walker set to take full advantage of his early arrival before the gun sounds for the men’s 20km walk on Sunday, August 28.

Looking to acclimatise to the hot and humid conditions of the host city, Tallent, who will also compete in the 50km walk, has arrived in Daegu (KOR) after spending much of his year training in the altitude house and heat room of the Australian Institute of Sport.

“I’ve headed overseas for a couple of races but based myself primarily in Canberra this year, training at home and using the facilities at the AIS. I have spent plenty of time in the altitude house and even more in the heat room so that I can prepare for the hot conditions that we’ll face,” Tallent said.

“We always knew that conditions here would be tough but to be honest I didn’t think it was too bad until I headed out for a training session yesterday. That’s why we’ve come in early, so that we have 14 days to prepare for my first race, get used to the heat and be ready for a strong start.

“I really like racing in the heat, it’s where I perform at my best so fingers crossed I can use that to my advantage.”

Tallent is joined on the walks start list by his wife Claire Tallent (20km walk), training partner and Australian Flame debutante Regan Lamble (20km walk), Commonwealth Games silver medallist Luke Adams (20km walk, 50km walk), Australian championship medallist Adam Rutter(20km walk) and former world record holder Nathan Deakes (50km walk).

Deakes, who is one of only seven Australians to win gold at the world championships, will compete in the green and gold for the first time internationally sincetaking victory in the 50km walk at the 2007 championships in Osaka (JPN).

Tallent continued: “I might be a bit biased but Claire has been training really well so I am pumped to see how she will go. I train with Regan too and her build up has been phenomenal, it’s a new and exciting experience for her and she’s a really capable competitor.”

“The other boys have been based in St Moritz and word is they are training really well. Luke, Nathan and I share the top four spots with Simon Baker on the Australian All-Time list for the 50km and if we perform near that level we can all finish top eight.

“That would be the best result of any event group by Australia at a world championships and that will bode really well as we look ahead to London.”

Tallent’s own goal is to again return to the dais. A silver (50km walk) and bronze (20km walk) medallist at the 2008 Olympics, at the world championships in Berlin (GER) he finished outside the medals in sixth (20km walk) and seventh (50km walk) before winning the 20km walk at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi (IND).

Tallent added: “I want to be back on the podium this year, I want to use the heat to my advantage and finish what has been a pretty solid training block.”

“I know I can finish top three, and if I do I’ll be a very happy camper."

For more information on the 2011 IAAF world championships including Australian Flame team information, athlete profiles, news and results, please visit athletics.com.au.

IAAF world championships

Daegu (KOR)

August 27 – September 4, 2011

Sunday, August 28:

9:00am (10:00am AEST)

M 20km Walk: Luke Adams (NSW), Jared Tallent (Vic), Adam Rutter (NSW)

Wednesday, August 31:

9:00am (10:00am AEST)

W 20km Walk: Regan Lamble (Vic), Claire Tallent (SA)

Saturday, September 3:

8:00am (9:00am AEST)

M 50km Walk: Luke Adams (NSW), Nathan Deakes (Vic), Jared Tallent (Vic)