4x100m relay, men’s marathon, pole vault and more

On the final day of the Olympics, Australia’s Michael Shelley, Martin Dent and Jeffrey Hunt competed in the men’s marathon, coming 16th (2:14:10), 28th (2:16:20) and 63rd (2:22:59) respectively.

In the men’s 4x100m relay, Australia’s team finished seventh in a star-studded final that saw the Jamaican team smash their own world record with a stunning 36.84.

The team of Anthony Alozie, Isaac Ntiamoah, Andrew McCabe and Joshua Ross posted a time of 38.43. In the heats, the Australian quartet finished fifth, tied with the Australian record at 38.17, and seventh fastest overall in the heats. Alozie, Ntiamoah and McCabe, who is just 21, have all made their Olympic debuts here in London, while Ross was part of the Australian 4x100m team that was sixth in Athens in 2004.

Steve Hooker bowed out without recording a height in the men’s pole vault final. In the qualifier he went through as one of 14 finalists having cleared 5.50m. He passed on that height in the final, choosing to enter the competition at 5.65m. On his third and final attempt he clipped the bar, meaning he could not defend his Olympic title. Hooker remained on the track as he pumped up the crowd for each of his competitors.

Australian Jared Tallent won the silver medal in the men’s 50-kilometre walk in stifling conditions in London. It was the second Olympic Games in a row that Tallent has claimed the silver in the 50km walk and when combined with the bronze he scored in the 20km in Beijing – he now has three Olympic medals, the most of any Australian in the sport.

With thanks to the Australian Olympic Committee. More information at Athletics Australia.