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Australian medallist’s dad detained by military police

Dane Bird-Smith: elated with bronze.

Dane Bird-Smith: elated with bronze. Photo: AP

Dane Bird-Smith has continued the exceptional run of modern-day Olympic success by Australian walkers in claiming the bronze medal in the men’s 20km race at the Rio Games.

But Bird-Smith’s celebrations have been thwarted by a drama involving his father.

As an emotional Bird-Smith spoke to Channel 7, tears streaming down his face, he had no idea his dad David was being marched away by military police.

The 24-year-old Queenslander, discussing his father’s support, said: “He’s going to be going nuts somewhere.

“He was on the drinks table. He was going absolutely bananas down there. I’ve got to go find them and catch up.”

David Bird-Smith was reportedly detained by military police as he tried to celebrate with his son.

It’s understood he was stopped at a security checkpoint where he got in an argument with police. It became heated and he was then taken away.

The Australian Olympic Committee was called and was trying to resolve the situation.

Bird-Smith, 24, walked a smart tactical race on Friday and was rewarded with third spot and a personal best time of one hour 19 minutes and 37 seconds.

Wang Zhen of China took the gold in 1:19:14 and countryman Cai Zelin was second.

“It’s bloody epic. I just can’t believe it. It’s totally unreal right now,” Bird-Smith said as he wiped away tears.

“I was watching the Chinese boys, I knew they were going to come out hard although I didn’t know when it was going to happen.

“As soon as they went for it I thought I had to get on their tails and go for it.

“I had the Brazilian boy (fourth-placed Caio Bonfim) sat just behind me, he had the whole crowd behind him but I had my crew, all the Aussies and we cheer like bloody champions.”

Bird-Smith is coached by his father, a two-time Olympic walker.

“I went into this and I knew I was in such good shape and I just had to pull it all together.

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Exhausted: Australia fought hard for silver. Photo: AP

“With the run I’ve had with a stomach bug at Beijing last year (at the world championships) and at world walking cup being so crook, this means so much to finally have a race that went so well.”

Australia now has won six walking medals at the past four Olympics.

Australian rowing crew takes silver

Australia’s rowers have fallen just short of gold in the men’s four on day seven, as Britain made it five Olympic titles in a row.

The Australian crew of William Lockwood, Joshua Dunkley-Smith, Joshua Booth and Alex Hill went in as underdogs to the British, who had won the event at every Games since Sydney.

The British started strongly, and led by nearly a second at the first time check.

The Australians rallied, however, closing within less than half a length of the British at halfway, down by just 0.22 seconds.

But the British crew held the line and began to increase the rating in the second half of the race. They went on to win in a time of five minutes 58.61 seconds, ahead of Australia in 6:00:44. Italy took the bronze, a further three seconds back.

Earlier, Australia’s Kim Brennan qualified easily for the A final of the women’s single sculls, winning her semi-final in a time of 7:47.88.

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Britain maintains its dominace in the pursuit. Photo: AP

Brennan had led for most of the race, and although she was seriously challenged by New Zealand rower Emma Twiggs in the back half of the race, she maintained her stroke and her rating to come through to win.

Twiggs was second in 7:48.20, and Switzerland’s Jeannine Gmelin was third in 7:49.83. they all went through to the final.

The news was not as good for Australia’s Rhys Grant, who finished fifth in the semi-final of the men’s single sculls to miss out on a chance to challenge for a medal.

Grant was in the same semi-final as defending champion Mahe Drysdale of New Zealand. Drysdale won the semi-final in a time of 7:03.70.

Cycling: Australia’s thrilling race to silver

Australia has claimed silver in the men’s team pursuit after a thrilling race with the all-conquering Great Britain side.

Great Britain won in world-record time (3:50.265), edging Australians Alexander Edmondson, Jack Bobridge, Michael Hepburn and Sam Welsford, who led for three quarters of the race.

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