OLYMPIC champion Sally Pearson said on Wednesday she would likely focus solely on her favoured 100m hurdles and pass on the 100m and a possible attempt at a double gold at the Commonwealth Games.
Sally’s form has been off-kilter this season because of injury, but the Australian said she had been buoyed by a third place in 12.79 seconds in London recently.
“The preparation has probably been the best it can be,” she said.
“My time in London was the fastest I’ve run all season since being over in Europe, so coming to the Commonwealth Games with that under my belt is a huge confidence boost and sign things are heading in the right direction.
“I’m a lot happier in the village now than what I thought I was going to be.”
Sally said she would likely sit out the women’s 100m, instead choosing to focus on the sprint hurdles, an event in which she won gold in Delhi four years ago.
The 27-year-old also attempted a double in the Indian capital, but that ended in tears after she was firstly reinstated in the 100m final after a false start and subsequently disqualified post-race following a protest — after crossing the line in first place.
“The latest I can pull out of the 100m is 48 hours before and right now it is more likely that I’m going to pull out,” she said, with heats for the 100m on Sunday, the semi-finals and final a day later.
“I’ve had a few discussions with a lot of people including my coach and at this stage we are not sure I can do two events,” with the hurdles heats scheduled for July 31.
Sally added: “It’s disappointing that my injury has led me to this decision, but at the same time the 100m in Delhi was a bonus. It was a late decision, probably a couple of days out from when I actually raced.”
Sally will have it all to do in the hurdles, up against US-born Briton Tiffany Porter, the winner in the Anniversary Games last week in a timely warning ahead of their Commonwealth Games duel.
“It’s a confidence boost and things seem to be clicking at the right time, so hopefully I can go out and do my very best at the Commonwealths,” Tiffany said.
“You can’t ever count Sally out, she’s a great competitor, but I am going into it hoping to go away with the gold. We don’t train for second place.” AFP