Australia’s Jared Tallent is expected to be awarded a gold medal from the 2012 London Olympics after the performance of a Russian athlete was disqualified by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

Tallent had finished second to Sergey Kirdyapkin in the 50 kilometres walk at the London Games, but the CAS declared the gold should be stripped from the 36-year-old because of a positive test to a banned substance.

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The ruling, which disqualified all of Kirdyapkin’s competitive results from August 20 2009 to October 15 2012, means Australia’s London gold medal tally will rise to eight.

Tallent, who won bronze in the 20km walk and silver in the 50km race at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, has been campaigning for years to finally be awarded gold in the wake of Kirdyapkin’s doping.

When Kirdyapkin failed a drug test, his results were annulled by the Russian anti-doping agency (RUSADA) for a period between 2009 and 2012, but it did not include his Olympic win.

Jared Tallent stands alongside Sergey Kirdyapkin on the medal dais at the 2012 Olympics. Photo: ABC

“History has been rewritten tonight. I am the Olympic champion and justice has been served. I’m very excited to see the result amended and thank all those who have supported me across this journey,” Tallent said in a statement.

“For me, this outcome allows me to celebrate a moment that every athlete dreams of and I look forward to sharing the experience with my family, including wife Claire, my Mum, Dad and siblings.”

History has been rewritten…. I am Olympic champion! pic.twitter.com/eRRCy6zqXt

— Jared Tallent (@JaredTallent) March 24, 2016

Athletics Australia chief executive Phil Jones congratulated Tallent after a lengthy struggle to be recognised as an Olympic champion.

“Athletics Australia has always been of the opinion that Jared Tallent is the rightful gold medallist in the men’s 50km race walk at London 2012. The decision by the Court of Arbitration for Sport today vindicates that position,” he said.

“We will now take immediate action through the IAAF to ensure that the result is amended. Jared deserves to be recognised as the Olympic champion for his exemplary performance four years ago.

“Athletics Australia is proud of the way Jared has carried himself throughout this difficult period. We look forward to watching him compete at Rio 2016.”

Sally Pearson, who won gold for Australia in the 100m hurdles at the London Games, was one of the first to congratulate Tallent on his expected elevation to Olympic champion.

“Huge congratulations to @JaredTallent Olympic champion!!!!!! So well deserved,” Pearson tweeted.