Lee Gaskin August 11, 2012
It's taken eight years, but Canberra's Michael Rogers will finally receive the Olympic medal he deserves.
Rogers will be elevated to the bronze medal for the 2004 Athens Games road race time trial following American gold medallist Tyler Hamilton's doping admissions last year.
The International Committee Board met yesterday to alter the standings before the eight-year statute of limitations for the International Olympic Committee to change placings expires.
''I haven't pushed it, but ultimately I would like that medal,'' Rogers said.
Rogers finished fourth in Athens before two weeks later winning the second of his three-straight time trial world championships.
The 32-year-old has just completed his fourth Olympic Games and is on the verge of a staggering 17th consecutive world titles appearance if he makes the Australian team for next month's event in the Netherlands.
His brother Dean told The Canberra Times Michael's only regret about receiving the Olympic medal was that he would be denied the pleasure of standing on the podium.
''The entire family would be very proud of the Olympic medal after everything else he's done, it's a nice one for the wall,'' Dean Rogers said.
''The biggest shame for Mick is not being able to stand up on the podium. In his words, that's what he was most disappointed about.''
Rogers is coming off his best season in several years with strong rides in the individual time trial and the road race in London.
He laid down a solid platform for the Australian team in the road race as a domestique before finishing sixth in a red-hot field in the time trial.
''Michael's always had an ability to turn it on on the day,'' Dean Rogers said.
''Under pressure, he's always been able to put the performance down for Australia. And he's proven time and time again he's often the last guy standing and ready to put the green and gold on at the end of the season.''
The gold medal from the 2004 Games will now go to retired Russian rider Viatcheslav Ekimov.
American Bobby Julich will be moved up from bronze to silver, and Rogers goes from fourth to bronze.
Julich now works at the British Sky team, where Rogers is one of the key riders.
''I'm always asking him to give me my medal,'' Michael Rogers said.
''He tells me he won't give it to me until he gets his silver.''