Jared Tallent
An Australian race walking stalwart whose relentless endurance earned him an Olympic gold medal after a rival's doping disqualification.
Born 1984 (age 42)·Australian race walker·Birthday: October 17·Millennials
Biography
Jared Tallent is the embodiment of perseverance in one of athletics' most grueling disciplines. For over a decade, he was a constant force in international race walking, specializing in the punishing 50-kilometer distance. His career is marked by both supreme athletic achievement and a central role in the fight for clean sport. He famously stood on the podium at the 2012 London Olympics, receiving the silver medal behind Russian walker Sergey Kirdyapkin, whom he believed was doping. After a long campaign for justice, the Court of Arbitration for Sport disqualified Kirdyapkin in 2016, and Tallent was belatedly awarded the gold medal. With four Olympic medals across three Games, he retired as one of Australia's most decorated track and field athletes and a respected advocate for integrity in sport.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Jared was born in 1984, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Jared Was Born
The biggest hits of 1984
#1 Movie
Beverly Hills Cop
Best Picture
Amadeus
#1 TV Show
Dallas
Jared's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1984Born
Apple Macintosh introduced
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $59,800Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"When Doves Cry" — PrinceBest Picture: Amadeus
1989Started school
Berlin Wall falls; Tiananmen Square protests
Gas: $1.00/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Look Away" — ChicagoBest Picture: Driving Miss Daisy
1997Became a teenager
Princess Diana dies in Paris car crash; Harry Potter published
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $104,100Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Candle in the Wind 1997" — Elton JohnBest Picture: Titanic
2000Could drive
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2002Could vote
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2005Turned 21
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2014Turned 30
Russia annexes Crimea; Ebola outbreak in West Africa
Gas: $3.37/galHome: $160,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Happy" — Pharrell WilliamsBest Picture: Birdman
2024Turned 40
AI reshapes industries; Paris Olympics
Gas: $3.31/galHome: $372,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Espresso" — Sabrina CarpenterBest Picture: Anora
2026Age 42 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Awarded the Olympic gold medal in the 50km walk for the 2012 London Games following the disqualification of Sergey Kirdyapkin for doping.
- Won four Olympic medals (gold, two silver, bronze) across the 2008, 2012, and 2016 Games.
- Set the Olympic Record for the 50km walk (3:36:53) at the 2012 London Olympics, a time that still stands.
- Won a silver medal in the 50km walk at the 2015 World Championships in Beijing.
Did You Know?
He and his wife, Claire Tallent, are both Olympic race walkers; Claire competed at the 2008 and 2012 Games.
He was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for his service to sport.
His delayed gold medal ceremony was held at the 2016 Melbourne Cricket Ground before an Australian Rules football match.
He hails from a farming family in Ballarat, Victoria.
““It's been a long fight, but it's a great outcome for clean sport.””
