Double Olympic race walking silver medallist Jared Tallent is targeting “redemption” at Rio 2016 ©Getty Images

Double Olympic race walking silver medallist Jared Tallent is targeting “redemption” at Rio 2016 after he was one of five athletes officially selected to represent Australia at the Games by the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC).

Tallent finished behind convicted doping cheat Sergey Kirdyapkin of Russia, who was mentored by controversial coach Viktor Chegin, in the 50 kilometres event at London 2012. 

In January 2015, Kirdyapkin was banned for three years and two months, backdated to October 2012, and he also had his results from several periods in his career annulled.

However, he has, so far, been able to cling on to his Olympic gold.

Tallent, who also claimed 50km silver and 20km bronze at Beijing 2008, has been joined on the confirmed team by fellow race walkers Chris Erickson and Brendon Reading.

David McNeill and Eloise Wellings, who both compete in the 10,000 metres, have also been named as the first runners who will compete for Australia at this year’s Games.

“It’s always pretty amazing to be selected for the Olympics but this one’s going to be pretty special after what happened at the last Olympics,” 31-year-old Tallent said.

“I’m really aiming high for this one.

“I’m still hoping I’ll get the gold medal from London but I’m just making sure that I’m doing everything possible this time so hopefully I won’t have those problems arise again and I’m so well prepared I can get some redemption in Rio.”

The announcement means 34-year-old Erickson, a 20km competitor, will participate at his third Olympic Games having qualified for Beijing 2008 and London 2012.

10,000 metres runners Eloise Wellings and David McNeill have been selected as the first two runners on the Australian team for Rio 2016
10,000 metres runners Eloise Wellings and David McNeill have been selected as the first two runners on the Australian team for Rio 2016 ©Getty Images

Twenty-six-year-old Reading, who is coached by Erickson, will make his Olympic debut at Rio 2016.

On the track, 33-year-old Wellings has been selected off the back of her best-ever finish at the International Association of Athletics Federations World Championships in Beijing, where she came 10th in the 10,000 metres.

She was also a finalist at London 2012, eventually finishing the race in 21st place.

Her teammate and running partner McNeill, meanwhile, achieved his personal best time of 27min 45.01sec this year and will look to achieve qualification for the 5,000m race this year.

The announcement of five further selections brings the number of confirmed Australian athletes at Rio 2016 to 13.

Defending Olympic champions in the 470 sailing class Matthew Belcher and Will Ryan, nacra 17 competitors Lisa Darmanin and Jason Waterhouse, along with 49er duo Iain Jensen and Nathan Outteridge, have also been selected.

They will be joined in Rio by modern pentathletes Max and Chloe Esposito.