Among the leaders for much of the tactical race, Tiernan looked strong throughout before being overcome by the conditions at a stage of the race where he was still challenging for a place in the top-eight. 

Tiernan regained his feet twice to cross the line 18th in a season best time of 28:35.06, with the gold medal won by Salemen Barega of Ethiopia in 27:43.22, in a sprint finish over the two Ugandan runners who claimed the minor medals. Only 0.66 seconds separated the medallists and Tiernan, who set the Australian record of 27:22.55 in December, looked set for a top-10 finish with the medallists in sight before fatigue took over. 

Tiernan who was so composed throughout the race and looked capable of lifting on the final two laps even when the pace had lifted dramatically, surprised many when he started to labour slightly and then fell. But there was never any doubt that he was steadfast in his determination to finish the race. 

"It's the Olympics, I've been waiting for this for five years and I got close. I think it was 180 metres to go when I collapsed the first time, and you don't stop when you've only got that far to go,” Tiernan said. 

"It's an honour to represent Australia and regardless of whether it’s a performance I am pleased with, you have to get across the line and finish the race." 

"It's a long way to come to fall, literally... you just have to get up and try and keep going." 

Despite the outcome, Tiernan was confident in his preparation and grateful for the opportunity to race. 

"I think I executed my race plan really well until about 600 metres to go and I just ran out of steam. It just wasn't my day, it's unfortunate, it's the Olympics and you want to be able to perform on that day. 

"It was definitely hot. I was prepared for that. I've been doing heat and humidity training and I thought I was in a good space for that. I thought I hydrated well but obviously something wasn't right, we'll aim to learn from that.” 

Aussie women give all in 5,000m heats

Tiernan’s start in the 10,000m final followed the heats of the women’s 5000m that featured Rose Davies, Jenny Blundell and Izzy Batt-Doyle. 

An Olympic debutant, Davies was the first on track competing in heat one. The fastest of the two heats, she was unable to maintain the pace in the closing stages and crossed 18th in 15:50.07. 

Davies was followed by Blundell and Batt-Doyle in heat two, with Blundell taking the race on from the outset to lead the pack through the first two kilometres in an effort to control the outcome from the front of the pack. 

It was not to be though, with Blundell crossing 12th in 15:11.27, with Olympic debutant Batt-Doyle crossing 15th in 15:21.65. 

“My coach said to aim to avoid all the chaos, to rhythm run and to back myself to run controlled from the front for the first five laps. I felt comfortable and was glad that the pack came with me initially, then past, as it helped me maintain my momentum as the race went on,” Blundell said. 

“I don’t think I could have run the race better, to be honest. I didn’t get through but gave it my all and am so happy. My time just missed the qualifier for world championships, so I’m confident for what’s ahead as I know I’ve got plenty of time.” 

Attention now turns to day two of competition with highlights including Matthew Denny in the final of the men’s discus throw, Rohan Browning in the heats of the blue-riband men’s 100m, Kurtis Marschall in pole vault qualifying, and four-time Olympian Jeff Riseley leading out in the men’s 800m heats alongside Peter Bol and Charlie Hunter. 

Cody Lynch