CYCLING: Australian cyclist Michael Rogers is ambivalent about receiving a bronze medal for the road time trial from the Athens Olympics – eight years after the event.

Rogers will receive the medal after winner, American Tyler Hamilton, was stripped of the gold medal for doping. Rogers initially finished fourth in the event.

"One part of me is happy to finally receive the medal, on the other side it (the medal) doesn't  mean a lot,” the three times world time trial champion said.

"I think I missed the opportunity of that actual moment of the podium on the day.

"There aren't too many athletes who get to go on the podium and to experience the life long memories of that.

"I remember that day. My mum (Sonja) and dad (Ian) and wife (Alessia) travelled all that way to be there in Athens.

"Unfortunately, I can't get that back, so the medal is more kind of a substitute.”

Rogers said he had no official notification from the International Olympic Committee about Tyler Hamilton’s disqualification and was not confident of receiving the bronze medal.

"To tell you the truth, I wasn't really holding my breath (about receiving the medal),” he said.

"Some years ago, I know the AOC, together with the Russian Olympic Committee put in a joint appeal.

"I know the eight-year window (statute of limitations) was about to lapse.”

This is the third upgrade Rogers has received during his distinguished career. He also has David Millar's 2003 world time trial after that rider was disqualified for testing positive, and was also elevated sixth to fifth in the Beijing Olympics road race when David Rebellin lost his silver.

"It's not the first time it's happened to me, but hopefully it's the last” Rogers said ruefully.

"These things are all out of our control and it's not really the optimum situation.”

Michael Stevens in London

Olympics.com.au