Heffernan already eyeing road to Rio

After a handful of hints over the weekend, Ireland’s Rob Heffernan has confirmed his intention to line up for a fifth Olympic Games, in Rio de Janeiro in 2016, as long as the necessary funding is available from the private and public sector.

The Cork race walker produced two of the standout athletics performances at the London Olympics with a ninth place finish in the 20k and an astounding fourth in the 50k, where his time would have won all but one of the gold medals in previous Games.

The 34-year-old returned home to Ireland yesterday along with his wife Marian, who competed in the 4x400m relay, and the pair will take a well-earned holiday with their children before Rob turns his focus to Brazil and “having a crack at winning” the World Championships in 2013.