by Larry Eder
Sally Pearson, AUS, Angele Whyte, CAN, photo by Claus Andersen
Despite injuries and other distractions, Sally Pearson, supported by her husband and team, focused on the 100 meter hurdle final and defended her title in Glasgow!
When an athlete is at their fittest, the long hours of training and practice make the activity, which is deep in their muscle memory, look effortless.
That is the beauty of athletics, it is also damning for an athlete on the comeback.
Sally Pearson has had such a year.
Dealing with injuries since after London 2013, and gaining shape very late this year, Sally Pearson, the London Olympic champion and 2011 World Champion, knew, in her heart, what she had to do to get ready for the Commonwealth Games.
An elite athlete has to be, at times, focused to the point of being insulare. To many on the outside, it seems quite selfish. Unfortunately , that is the viewer’s issue.
As Pearson prepared for her battle over 100 meters of hurdles, she was also confronted with the fact that Athletics Australia coach Hollingsworth did not her view of her commitment. Hollingsworth chastized Pearson, much to the media’s shock and surprise. Athletics Australia responded and the coach was sent packing.
Pearson showed her stuff in the first round, where she ran 12.69.
Tiffany Porter had run 12.84 just minutes before.
And, the battle was set.
In the final, Sally Pearson focused.
Getting a fine start, and showing the focus that gave her gold in 2011, 2012 and silver in 2013, Sally Pearson, Pearson took the first hurdle well, and the battle was on.
While Tiffany Porter was hurdling well, Sally Pearson hurdled one hurdle after another, and did not stop until she had sprinted across the finish, taking the gold in 12.67!
Tiffany Porter, ENG, was the silver medalist in 12.80 and Angela Whyte, Canada, was the bronze medalist in 13.02.
Sally Pearson let out a shout of joy and a release to the frustrations of the injury filled year.
She told the media:
“It is so good…it was the first regaining of my title…I had been here all week, I am so glad that the waiting is over.”
A hurdler since she was fifteen, Sally Pearson knows what it feels like to be back on top, and racing well.
If feels like, Glasgow on Friday night, August 1, 2014, when she won her gold medal in the 100 meter hurdles.
A most satisfying medal for Sally Pearson.
Sally Pearson, photo by Claus Andersen
