Australian hurdler Sally Pearson announces her withdrawal from the Games. Photo / Getty
Australian hurdler Sally Pearson announces her withdrawal from the Games. Photo / Getty
Gold Coast 2018 chairman Peter Beattie has denied popular conspiracy theories that champion Australian hurdler Sally Pearson was never a chance to compete at the Commonwealth Games.
Pearson, co-captain of the Aussies' athletics squad, on Thursday pulled out on the first day of competition after failing to recover from herongoing Achilles injury - ending her bid for a third straight 100m hurdles title.
The 2012 Olympic champion in the 100m hurdles confirmed the bombshell development at a press conference alongside Australian Athletics Team Head Coach Craig Hilliard and Australian Athletics Team Doctor Paul Blackman.
The nature of the last-minute bombshell has given life to popular conspiracy theories that Pearson was never going to be able to compete, but was used for her marketing power.
"That's a nonsense story," Beattie told news.com.au. "That's rubbish. That's not us. We wouldn't do that. She's a legend. We would have loved her to be there. It's up to her."
Pearson, who is also a two-time world champion in the event, had been entered in her specialist event and the sprint relay at the Games. In what is a huge blow to the event from a local perspective, the Gold Coaster said she had been on track to overcome her lingering Achilles problems before the training dramas.
"Gutted, tears flowing, a lot of emotions, you could call it grief," Pearson said.
"[I've been] going through the numb phase first then the crying phase and then speaking to Craig and Paul and double and triple checking it was the right decision."
Pearson, who was aiming for a third straight Commonwealth gold medal, confirmed she still intends to defend her world championships gold medal, with the aim of contesting the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
Pearson carried The Queen's Baton during the Opening Ceremony for the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games at Carrara Stadium. Photo / Getty
The 31-year-old's preparation for the Gold Coast Games had been under a cloud for months with the nagging injury complaint minimising her training in the lead-up to the event.
The Herald Sun reported on Thursday morning Pearson aggravated the injury last week when running a 100m relay leg during a training session with her 4x100m relay teammates.
It came after Commonwealth Games commentators questioned the timing of the announcement.
Was Sally Pearson ever going to compete in the Comm Games?
Rear vision observation. But on reflection, Pearson couldn't run with the baton yesterday. I'm not 100 percent shocked she can't compete unfortunately. Wasn't a good sign
