AIS walker Jared Tallent has created history by becoming the first Australian male track and field athlete since 1906 to win two medals at one Olympic Games.

Tallent finished second in the Olympic men's 50km race walk, adding the silver medal to the bronze he won in the 20km race last week.

Tallent, better known as a 20km walker, finished second to Alex Schwarzer of Italy in a time of 3hr 39min 26sec.

Schwarzer, who finished third in the 50km race at the world championships in Osaka, Japan, last year, won in an Olympic-record time of 3hr 37min 09sec.

Tallent has paid special credit to his coach Brent Vallance (AIS) and the Institute’s Sports Science Sport Medicine facility in helping him win his Olympic medals.

'I couldn’t have achieved this Olympic result without the help of Brent who has been tireless in making sure my preparation was spot on,' Tallent said.

'The AIS has been incredible in its support too.

'I have spent a lot of time in the Institute’s humidity tent on the treadmill training in 33 degrees heat trying to acclimatise for these Olympics.

'It certainly paid off because the conditions were very hot out there with a number of the competitors feeling the heat.'

AIS Director Professor Peter Fricker was equally as proud and paid tribute to the athlete’s persistence and determination.

'This result is an outstanding success for Jared, his coach Brent and for the AIS athletics program,' Fricker said

'Jared’s two Olympic medals is a real testament to his personal commitment to his sport and the training program here at the AIS.’

The Australian Institute of Sport was established in 1981, and has consistently contributed to Australia’s outstanding sporting performance on the world stage.

The Australian Olympic team in Beijing consists of 433 athletes. Of these, there are 262 current or former AIS athletes