Australian cyclist Michael Rogers this week graciously accepted an Olympic bronze medal he earned 11 years ago in Athens.

Eleven years ago. It is incredible to even fathom it has taken this long for Rogers to have received the awarded he so deserved in the men’s individual time trial. 

Ballarat race walker Jared Tallent is still fighting for such justice – and Olympic gold medals he has rightfully won in the past two Games.

Rogers’ symbolic, hard-earned reward was presented before International Olympic Committee and world cycling officials at IOC headquarters in Lausanne. The IOC is cleaning up retrospectively but it remains unclear how long Tallent must wait for his elevation.

Tallent should be preparing to enter next year’s Rio Olympic Games as defending champion in the men’s 50-kilometre walk. As it stands, he could line up against the man who robbed him. Russian Sergey Kirdyapkin is serving a backdated three-year and two-month ban for a doping period that covers the London Games. And still holds gold.

Athletics promotes true sporting fundamentals – running, jumping and throwing. Instead, the world athletics championships had us celebrating clean races, Tallent winning silver in the 50km walk to sometimes training partner, Slovakian Matej Toth, or when “good guy” Usain Bolt beats bad, formerly banned American Justin Gatlin in a sprint showdown.

Hunger to get the best of yourself, to improve and push past your limits, is at the very essence of sport. We demand out athletes be the best. This becomes warped when finding an edge moves athletes into shady areas and clouded judgement.

What should be black-and-white is so grey. Why must athletes wait so long for records to be set straight when cheating is proven?

Beijing, in the Bird’s Nest stadium, was where Tallent was cheated of Olympic glory. He earned bronze in a 20km race when he should have sparkled silver and silver in a 50km race that he should have glittered gold. 

Beijing is where this week Tallent used the world athletics championship to make big statements. He will boycott a major pre-Olympic hit-out in Russia. Most poignantly, Tallent and fellow racewalkers posed by the Beijing Olympic honour roll, covering the name of disgraced Russian 20km gold medallist.

Tallent, unlike Rogers, had a proud podium moment in London and two in Beijing. But he was denied a chance to watch the Australian flag flying highest to the sounds of our national anthem. He has been denied the ultimate Olympic prize and titles.

Michael Rogers spoke without bitterness when receiving his cycling bronze.

“When I reminisce about that day 11 years ago in Athens, my first reaction is that of a smile,” Rogers said. “This bronze medal gives me great satisfaction and adds something tangible to my great memories.”

Let Tallent get his taste of satisfaction soon while he continues to prove what is truly humanly possible in his sport.