Denis Nizhegorodov (L) of Russia, compatriot Sergey Bakulin (C) and Jared Tallent of Australia stand with their medals after the men's 50 km race walk final at the IAAF World Athletics Championships in Daegu September 3, 2011. Bakulin won the gold medal while Nizhegorodov and Tallent took silver and bronze respectively. REUTERS/Lee Jae-Won (SOUTH KOREA - Tags: SPORT ATHLETICS)

Denis Nizhegorodov (L) of Russia hugs compatriot Sergey Bakulin after the men's 50 km race walk final at the IAAF World Athletics Championships in Daegu September 3, 2011. Bakulin won the event. REUTERS/Mark Blinch (SOUTH KOREA - Tags: SPORT ATHLETICS)

Poland's Grzegorz Sudol leads a group with Russia's (from L) Denis Nizhegorodov, Sergey Kirdyapkin and Igor Erokhin during the men's 50 km race walk final at the IAAF World Athletics Championships in Daegu September 3, 2011. REUTERS/Lee Jae-Won (SOUTH KOREA - Tags: SPORT ATHLETICS)

Denis Nizhegorodov of Russia takes a drink as he competes in the men's 50 km walk at the world athletics championships in central Berlin August 21, 2009. REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch (GERMANY SPORT ATHLETICS) 

Denis Nizhegorodov of Russia (L) and his compatriot Sergey Kirdyapkin compete in the men's 50 km walk at the world athletics championships in central Berlin August 21, 2009. REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch (GERMANY SPORT ATHLETICS) 

Bronze medallist Denis Nizhegorodov of Russia poses during the medal ceremony for the men's 50km walk event of the athletics competition in the National Stadium at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games August 22, 2008. REUTERS/Mike Blake (CHINA) 

Gold medallist Alex Schwazer of Italy (C), silver medallist Jared Tallent of Australia (L) and bronze medallist Denis Nizhegorodov of Russia pose during the medal ceremony for the men's 50km walk event of the athletics competition in the National Stadium at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games August 22, 2008. REUTERS/Mike Blake (CHINA) 

Winner Alex Schwazer of Italy (R) gestures beside third-placed Denis Nizhegorodov of Russia after the men's 50km walk in the athletics competition of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in the National Stadium August 22, 2008. REUTERS/Mike Blake (CHINA)

Winner Alex Schwazer of Italy (L) hugs third-placed Denis Nizhegorodov of Russia after the men's 50km walk in the athletics competition of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in the National Stadium August 22, 2008. REUTERS/Gary Hershorn (CHINA)

Denis Nizhegorodov of Russia holds his national flag after finishing third in the men's 50km walk in the athletics competition of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in the National Stadium August 22, 2008. REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach (CHINA)

Gold medallist Alex Schwazer of Italy (L) talks to bronze medallist Denis Nizhegorodov of Russia after the men's 50km walk in the athletics competition of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in the National Stadium August 22, 2008. REUTERS/Mike Blake (CHINA)

Denis Nizhegorodov of Russia gestures as he crosses the finish line to finish third in the men's 50km walk in the athletics competition of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in the National Stadium August 22, 2008. REUTERS/Mike Blake (CHINA)

Alex Schwazer of Italy, Jared Tallent of Australia, Denis Nizhegorodov of Russia and Li Jianbo of China (R - L) compete in the in the men's 50km walk of the athletics competition in the National Stadium at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games August 22, 2008. REUTERS/Mike Blake (CHINA) 

Gold medalist Robert Korzeniowski (C) of Poland, silver medalist Denis Nizhegorodov (L) of Russia and bronze medalist Aleksey Voyevodin of Russia pose at the medals ceremony for the men's 50 km walk at the 2004 Olympic Summer Games in Athens, Greece August 27, 2004. Korzeniowski has now won four gold medals in the event. 

Russia's Denis Nizhegorodov crosses the finish line to win the silver medal of the men's 50km walk at the Athens 2004 Olympic Summer Games August 27, 2004. [Poland's Robert Korzeniowski won the gold medal in a time of three hours 38.46 minutes ahead of Russian walkers Denis Nizhegorodov and Aleksey Voyevodin.] 

Poland's Robert Korzeniowski celebrates as he crosses the finish line to win the men's 50km walk at the Athens 2004 Olympic Summer Games August 27, 2004. [Korzeniowski won the gold medal in a time of three hours 38.46 minutes ahead of Russian walkers Denis Nizhegorodov and Aleksey Voyevodin.] 

Gold medalist Robert Korzeniowski (C) of Poland, silver medalist Denis Nizhegorodov (L) of Russia and bronze medalist Aleksey Voyevodin of Russia pose at the medals ceremony for the men's 50 km walk \at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece August 27, 2004. Korzeniowski has now won four gold medals in the event. REUTERS/Mike Blake JR/SV 

Gold medalist Robert Korzeniowski (C) of Poland, silver medalist Denis Nizhegorodov (L) of Russia and bronze medalist Aleksey Voyevodin of Russia pose at the medals ceremony for the men's 50 km walk at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games August 27, 2004. Korzeniowski has now won four gold medals in the event. REUTERS/Jason Reed JR/SV/AA 

Poland's Robert Korzeniowski celebrates as he crosses the finish line to win the men's 50km walk at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games. Poland's Robert Korzeniowski celebrates as he crosses the finish line to win the men's 50km walk at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games August 27, 2004. Poland's Robert Korzeniowski won the gold medal in a time of three hours 38.46 minutes ahead of Russia's Denis Nizhegorodov and Russia's Aleksey Voyevodin. REUTERS/Gary Hershorn 

Poland's Robert Korzeniowski carries his national flag as he approaches the finish line to win the men's 50km walk at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games. Poland's Robert Korzeniowski carries his national flag as he approaches the finish line to win the men's 50km walk at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games, August 27, 2004. Korzeniowski won the gold medal in a time of three hours 38.46 minutes ahead of Russian walkers Denis Nizhegorodov Aleksey Voyevodin. REUTERS/Gary Hershorn 

Slovakia's Kazimir Verkin reacts after crossing the finish line of the men's 50km walk at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games. Slovakia's Kazimir Verkin reacts after crossing the finish line of the men's 50km walk at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games August 27, 2004. Poland's Robert Korzeniowski won the gold medal in a time of three hours, 38.46 minutes, ahead of Russia's Denis Nizhegorodov and Russia's Aleksey Voyevodin. REUTERS/David Gray 

Poland's Robert Korzeniowski carries his national flag as he approaches the finish line to win the men's 50km walk at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games. Poland's Robert Korzeniowski carries his national flag as he approaches the finish line to win the men's 50km walk at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games August 27, 2004. Korzeniowski won the gold medal in a time of three hours 38.46 minutes ahead of Russian walkers Denis Nizhegorodov and Aleksey Voyevodin. REUTERS/David Gray 

Russia's Denis Nizhegorodov crosses the finish line of the men's 50km walk at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games. Russia's Denis Nizhegorodov crosses the finish line to win the silver medal of the men's 50km walk at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games August 27, 2004. Poland's Robert Korzeniowski won the gold medal in a time of three hours 38.46 minutes ahead of Russian walkers Denis Nizhegorodov and Aleksey Voyevodin. REUTERS/Gary Hershorn 

Norway's Trond Nymark approaches the finish line of the men's 50km walk at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games August 27, 2004. Poland's Robert Korzeniowski won the gold medal in a time of three hours 38.46 minutes ahead of Russian walkers Denis Nizhegorodov and Aleksey Voyevodin. REUTERS/David Gray CP 

Japan's Yuki Yamazaki approaches the finish line of the men's 50km walk at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games August 27, 2004. Poland's Robert Korzeniowski won the gold medal in a time of three hours 38.46 minutes ahead of Russian walkers Denis Nizhegorodov and Aleksey Voyevodin. REUTERS/David Gray CP/DL 

Poland's Robert Korzeniowski carries his national flag as he celebrates winning the men's 50km walk at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games. Poland's Robert Korzeniowski carries his national flag as he celebrates winning the men's 50km walk at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games August 27, 2004. Korzeniowski won the gold medal in a time of three hours 38.46 minutes ahead of Russian walkers Denis Nizhegorodov and Aleksey Voyevodin. REUTERS/David Gray 

Poland's Robert Korzeniowski celebrates as he crosses the finish line to win the men's 50km walk at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games. Poland's Robert Korzeniowski celebrates as he crosses the finish line to win the men's 50km walk at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games August 27, 2004. Korzeniowski won the gold medal in a time of three hours 38.46 minutes ahead of Russian walkers Denis Nizhegorodov and Aleksey Voyevodin. REUTERS/Gary Hershorn 

New Zealand's Craig Barrett and Serbia and Montenegro's Aleksandr Rakovic stand after crossing the finish line of the men's 50km walk at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games. New Zealand's Craig Barrett (behind) and Serbia and Montenegro's Aleksandr Rakovic stand after crossing the finish line of the men's 50km walk at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games August 27, 2004. Poland's Robert Korzeniowski won the gold medal in a time of three hours 38.46 minutes ahead of Russian walkers Denis Nizhegorodov and Aleksey Voyevodin. REUTERS/David Gray 

Poland's Robert Korzeniowski carries his national flag as he celebrates winning the men's 50km walk at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games, August 27, 2004. Korzeniowski won the gold medal in a time of three hours 38.46 minutes ahead of Russian walkers Denis Nizhegorodov and Aleksey Voyevodin. REUTERS/Gary Hershorn GMH/DL 

Russia's Aleksey Voyevodin celebrates winning the bronze in the men's 50km walk at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games. Russia's Aleksey Voyevodin celebrates winning the bronze medal as he crosses the finish line of the men's 50km walk at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games August 27, 2004. Poland's Robert Korzeniowski won the gold medal in a time of three hours 38.46 minutes ahead of Russian walkers Denis Nizhegorodov and Aleksey Voyevodin. REUTERS/Gary Hershorn 

Olympic champion Korzeniowski from Poland congratulates silver medallist Nizhegorodov of Russia after the men's 50km walk at the Athens Olympics. Olympic champion Robert Korzeniowski (R) from Poland congratulates silver medallist Denis Nizhegorodov of Russia after the men's 50km walk at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games August 27, 2004. Korzeniowski's long road came to a end on Friday when the Pole won an unprecedented third Olympic 50 kilometre race walk title in a row. REUTERS/Gary Hershorn 

Poland's Robert Korzeniowski congratulates Spain's Jesus Angel Garcia as he approaches the finish line of the men's 50km walk at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games. Poland's Robert Korzeniowski (L) wearing his national flag congratulates Spain's Jesus Angel Garcia as he approaches the finish line of the men's 50km walk at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games August 27, 2004. Korzeniowski won the gold medal in a time of three hours 38.46 minutes ahead of Russian walkers Denis Nizhegorodov and Aleksey Voyevodin. Garcia finished fifth. REUTERS/Gary Hershorn 

Poland's Robert Korzeniowski congratulates Spain's Jesus Angel Garcia as he approaches the finish line of the men's 50km walk at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games. Poland's Robert Korzeniowski (L) wearing his national flag congratulates Spain's Jesus Angel Garcia as he approaches the finish line of the men's 50km walk at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games August 27, 2004. Korzeniowski won the gold medal in a time of three hours 38.46 minutes ahead of Russian walkers Denis Nizhegorodov and Aleksey Voyevodin. Garcia finished fifth. REUTERS/Gary Hershorn 

Russian walker Denis Nizhegorodov (R) embraces compatriot Aleksey Voyevodin (L) after they won the silver and bronze medal respectively in the men's 50km walk at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games August 27, 2004. Robert Korzeniowski's long road came to a end on Friday when the Pole won an unprecedented third Olympic 50 kilometre race walk title in a row. REUTERS/Gary Hershorn GMH/DL 

Poland's Robert Korzeniowski carries his national flag as he approaches the finish line to win the men's 50km walk at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games. Poland's Robert Korzeniowski carries his national flag as he approaches the finish line to win the men's 50km walk at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games, August 27, 2004. Korzeniowski won the gold medal in a time of three hours 38.46 minutes ahead of Russian walkers Denis Nizhegorodov Aleksey Voyevodin. REUTERS/Gary Hershorn 

Russian Denis Nizhegorodov lays on the track after his second place finish in the men's 50km walk at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games, August 27, 2004. Robert Korzeniowski's long road came to a end on Friday when the Pole won an unprecedented third Olympic 50 kilometre race walk title in a row. REUTERS/Gary Hershorn GMH/DL 

Poland's Robert Korzeniowski carries his national flag as he celebrates winning the men's 50km walk at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games. Poland's Robert Korzeniowski carries his national flag as he celebrates winning the men's 50km walk at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games August 27, 2004. Korzeniowski won the gold medal in a time of three hours 38.46 minutes ahead of Russian walkers Denis Nizhegorodov and Aleksey Voyevodin. REUTERS/David Gray 

Poland's Robert Korzeniowski celebrates as he crosses the finish line to win the men's 50km walk at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games. Poland's Robert Korzeniowski celebrates as he crosses the finish line to win the men's 50km walk at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games August 27, 2004. Korzeniowski won the gold medal in a time of three hours 38.46 minutes ahead of Russian walkers Denis Nizhegorodov and Aleksey Voyevodin. REUTERS/Ruben Sprich 

Poland's Robert Korzeniowski looks at his watch before crossing the finish line to win the men's 50km walk at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games. Poland's Robert Korzeniowski looks at his watch before crossing the finish line to win the men's 50km walk at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games August 27, 2004. Poland's Robert Korzeniowski won the gold medal in a time of three hours 38.46 minutes ahead of Russia's Denis Nizhegorodov and Russia's Aleksey Voyevodin. REUTERS/David Gray 

Poland's Robert Korzeniowski celebrates as he crosses the finish line to win the men's 50km walk at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games. Poland's Robert Korzeniowski celebrates as he crosses the finish line to win the men's 50km walk at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games August 27, 2004. Poland's Robert Korzeniowski won the gold medal in a time of three hours 38.46 minutes ahead of Russia's Denis Nizhegorodov and Russia's Aleksey Voyevodin. REUTERS/Gary Hershorn