Rob Heffernan hopeful of big showing at fifth Olympics in 2016 Irish race walker Rob Heffernan believes that he can pose a potent threat in the 50km event at next summer’s Rio Olympics.
Heffernan, who will compete at his fifth Olympics in 2016, has enjoyed huge success since adding the 50km walk to his repertoires after making his name in the sport in the 20km event.
The Cork star was crowned world champion in the longer of the event in 2013, but finished fifth in his title defence this summer after injury ravaged the early part of his campaign.
“After I won the World, I was adamant that I wanted to go on and win Europeans, I wanted to challenge for another World medal,” the 37-year-old said.
“And after finishing fifth in Beijing after the disruptions that I had in the year, it’s after giving me massive hope going to Rio and now I feel totally rejuvenated.
“If I can get a year fully healthy and if I stay motivated, I’m definitely going to be in the hunt for a medal and that’s the way I’m thinking.
“It’s going to be my last Olympics, so I’m going to give it everything.”
Heffernan has yet to win an Olympic medal, but he is set to be upgraded to third place and will be awarded a bronze medal for his efforts at the London Games after Stanislav Emelyanov was stripped of gold earlier this year due to irregularities in his blood passport.
However, Heffernan admitted that the retrospective awarding of any medal will offer limit comfort after missing out on the prestige of a place on the podium in London three years ago.
“In London, when I finished fourth, I was bitterly disappointed afterwards because I dreamt of a medal,” he admitted.
“And I tried to win a medal in Beijing and I finished eighth, and I went home afterwards and I was distraught.
“Even coming off the plane, I was put behind the boxers… A medal makes all the difference.
“Even though it was a great performance, not to have a medal and be up on the podium is still a massive loss to me.
“Even though my performance was brilliant, to miss that moment of being on the podium at an Olympic Games was an opportunity lost.”
Check out the video over at RTE
Source – RTE
