Tallent, who was denied his Olympic moment at the 2012 London Games, but has since been awarded his gold medal, has been extremely vocal in his views towards drugs in sport and in particularly drugs in his beloved walking.

The typically reserved 32-year-old has publicly voiced his opinion in the fight to keep sport clean of drug cheats, attaching the terms “gutless” and “disgrace” to those that attempt to stain the sport with the use of performance-enhancing drugs.

Before walking in his own race, the annual junior Jared Tallent 1.5km Perpetual Trophy, Tallent said his passion around the ever-present issue would be something he’d consider post-career.

“I think the first step would be trying to apply for the WADA athletes commission to have my voice heard there,” he said. 

“That would be an incredible thing to be a part of and try and make a real change from an athletes opinion, so that’s something to consider.

“And also gather opinions from other athletes that I speak to and put their voice forward.”

Tallent said it was great to return home and race in an event in his own town and even more special to take part in an event named after him.

He walked off a handicap against some of Ballarat’s junior walkers, including his niece and nephew – Jorja and Brodie.

“It was a fun event to be a part of,” he said. 

“I haven’t raced with the Ballarat Racewalking Club in quite a while because I’ve been away at other competitions.

“It was pretty special, this race being named after me – it’s an honour. I think they really appreciated having me out there after seeing me in Rio.”

In an added bonus to the day, Jorja Tallent won the race around North Gardens.

”I’m very proud, it’s good to see my nephew and niece take up the sport.”

Tallent also took his Olympic medals to the Ballarat Little Athletics on Saturday for the children to admire.