Rob Heffernan rues Russia’s absence at the Rio Olympics

Rob Heffernan has claimed that the race-walking events at the Rio Olympics will not be the same given the absence of Russian athletes.

Despite being upgraded to European and Olympic bronze medallist in recent times because of doping allegations surrounding two Russian athletes, Heffernan said he always enjoyed taking on the Russians and last night insisted that race-waking events at the Games will be “missing a dynamic for sure”.

The 38-year old took in his final race ahead of Rio at last night’s Cork City Sports meet, the Togher native finishing second to training partner Alex Wright – the latter clocked 11.13.94 to Heffernan’s 11.18.65.