Heroic Rob Heffernan walks tall to claim sixth

Sixth — for many it’s a nothing position, not quite close enough to be considered unlucky, though not so far away that a medal was out of sight.

For some, it’s a destination best forgotten the moment you leave town.

But not for Rob Heffernan. At his fifth Olympic Games, the 38-year-old has come to understand the value of top six. He knows it won’t ignite parades at home, that it won’t register much more than a blip on the national consciousness, but nonetheless he’s come to appreciate both the pain and prestige associated with such a performance.