Ireland, and Cork, has a new Olympic hero to celebrate this morning.
We may be on the verge of the action in Rio in just a few months time, but a race at London 2012 has just produced another glorious moment for Irish sport.
Rob Heffernan finished an agonising fourth at the 50km walk in the London Games in a race that was won, in an Olympic record time, by Sergey Kirdyapkin.
However, late last year, it was confirmed that Kirdyapkin was to be banned after an investigation found a long-running doping issue within Russian athletics
November’s investigation, and 335-page report, has led directly to a ruling this morning. The Russian has been stripped of his Olympic gold medal which means Heffernan will now be awarded bronze.
The official Court of Arbitration for Sport ruling states that all of his results have now been expunged from 2009 to 2012.
“All competitive results obtained by Mr Sergey Kirdyapkin from 20 August 2009 to 15 October 2012 are disqualified.”
The decision means that Australia’s Jared Tallent will now get his hands on an Olympic gold medal.
History has been rewritten…. I am Olympic champion! pic.twitter.com/eRRCy6zqXt
— Jared Tallent OAM (@JaredTallent) March 24, 2016
This morning’s news means London 2012, thanks to the exploits of our boxers, Cian O’Connor and now Heffernan makes 2012 our most successful ever Olympic Games.
Rob Heffernan's retrospective bronze means London 2012 was most successful Olympics ever for Ireland.
— Kieran Cunningham (@KCsixtyseven) March 24, 2016
The Corkman is naturally delighted at his long-awaited success:
"I'm over the moon. It's unreal" Rob Heffernan reacts to finally getting his Olympic Bronze medal on @AntonSavageShow now
— Niamhers (@niamhhassell) March 24, 2016
And the congratulations have poured in.
3 young lads had big dreams.2 made Olympics.1 is now an Olympic medalist! Congrats Rob Heffernan @irishathletics pic.twitter.com/hZzF0BEMzB
— Pierce O'Callaghan (@Pierceathletics) March 24, 2016
Great news for @RM_Heffernan after CAS upholds six appeals. Heffernan will be an Olympic man of bronze! https://t.co/pVEQ8X8hQp
— Athletics Ireland (@irishathletics) March 24, 2016
https://twitter.com/brendanboyce/status/712952632537718784
