Aussie Tallent on show

WALKER Claire Tallent will join her superstar husband Jared on the Australian team for next month’s world championships little more than two months after giving birth to their first son.

Claire Tallent replaces her injured sister-in-law Rachel Tallent in a squad that could well end up being the biggest to represent Australia at an edition of the biennial world titles.

Forty-nine athletes have been confirmed in the squad headlined by hurdler Sally Pearson and Jared Tallent, with more certain to be added in the next few days through the roll-down process, which seeks to guarantee full fields in each event.

Geelong shot putter Damien Birkenhead, who made the final at the Rio Olympics, is part of the Australian team.

The 36-year-old Claire Tallent — a silver medallist at the 2010 Commonwealth Games — missed selection for the Rio Olympics, although she still went to the 2016 Games as her husband’s coach.

She resumed training only a few days after the birth of baby Harvey in late May.

A vacancy in the women’s 20km walk for the London world championships opened up when her sister-in-law and Rio Olympian Rachel withdrew due to injury. Jared and Claire Tallent are currently training at altitude in St Moritz, Switzerland.

As a multiple Olympic and world championships medallist, 50km expert Jared Tallent is among Australia’s best hopes at the August 4-13 titles.

Having overcome a series of injuries, 2011 world champ and 2012 Olympics gold medallist Pearson will also fancy her chances of a podium finish in the 100m hurdles.

Javelin thrower Kathryn Mitchell and 2009 discus world champion Dani Stevens are other genuine medal contenders. Among the many new faces in the squad are rising middle-distance star Georgia Griffith, who will do the 800m-1500m double.