The Newlyn race walker was the first athlete to taste victory in Beijing's Olympic stadium, the Bird's Nest, in a 20km test event last April.He returned to Beijing to claim Olympic bronze in the men's 20km walk and silver in the men's 50km walk.Tallent's national ranking and performances this summer earned him pre-selection in Athletics Australia squad bound for the world track and field championships at Rome in July.Wife Claire, also a race walker, joined him on the team when the squad was announced on Sunday.Pole vaulter Steve Hooker and hurdler Sally McLellan were crowned Australian athletes of the year.