The Olympics Sports team Abdul Rahim and Muhammad Sadiq Padela, Gold Coast, Australia, April 4, 2018: A statement from Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Corporation (GOLDOC) Chairman Peter Beattie AC and CEO Mark Peters, following the withdrawal from competition of Sally PEARSON (AUS).
Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Corporation (GOLDOC) Chairman Peter Beattie AC and CEO Mark Peters are saddened to hear the news of Sally Pearson OAM not being able to compete at Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games (GC2018) due to injury.
Beattie said the champion hurdler, who has won Olympic, world and Commonwealth titles, has been a member of the GC2018 family since winning the bid in 2011 and has played an important role as an Official Ambassador promoting the Games and her home town.
“Sally’s presence on the track will be missed, but we know she will be supporting the Australian team from the stands.”
Peters said along with all Australians and sports fans around the world we are gutted Sally won’t be competing for three straight Commonwealth Games gold medals at Carrara Stadium.
“A proud Gold Coaster, Sally has been on the Games journey since the start and will continue to be a key advocate for these Games over the next two weeks. We thank Sally for her contribution to GC2018 over the last seven years.
“The timing of the injury is unfortunate and we wish Sally all the best in her recovery as she looks forward to her next challenge.”
Australian heptathlon great Glynis NUNN-CEARNS says she is “stunned and disappointed” Sally PEARSON (AUS) has been forced to pull out of the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games.
The 31-year-old Gold Coast native had to withdraw after failing to overcome an Achilles injury.
Queenslander NUNN-CEARNS won Olympic gold in the heptathlon in Los Angeles in 1984, as well as gold at the Brisbane 1982 Commonwealth Games. She also took bronze in the 100m hurdles at the Edinburgh 1986 Commonwealth Games.
She said: “It’s so disappointing for Sally after preparing to compete in front of her home crowd.
“It’s something she has worked so hard for and then to withdraw a few days out, I really feel for her.
“I’m a little stunned as I thought she ran well last week in Brisbane and has been so happy and cheery.
“She’s such a fierce competitor and to give herself every chance of competing is a credit to her.
“Sometimes age does work against athletes and the body takes longer to recover from injury and endure what it used to.”
Olympic and world 100m hurdles champion Sally PEARSON (AUS) says she’s “gutted” to have to withdraw from the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games, but vowed not to quit athletics.
PEARSON said her Achilles injury flared up two days ago while training at the athletes’ village and she knew immediately she would have to pull out of GC2018.
“It’s very gutting, there were tears, a lot of tears. There was a numb phase and a crying phase,” PEARSON told a media conference at the Main Press Centre on Thursday 5 April.
She decided not to announce her withdrawal from the Games until after she’d completed her duties as the final baton bearer in the Queen’s Baton Relay at the Opening Ceremony on Wednesday (4 April).
“I went out there last night (Wednesday) into the Opening Ceremony and heard the roar for Australia. Not being able to feel that for myself in my individual events is very disappointing.
“It’s gut-wrenching, it’s heartbreaking and it’s very unfortunate I can’t get out there (and run).”
PEARSON said she was determined to get fit and compete at the 2019 world championships in Doha and the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
“Going to the world championships next year and then eight months after that the Olympic Games in Tokyo, for me that’s the most important thing… to make sure I can get to those competitions as strong as ever and be at my best again. “Retirement was never an option for me.” —- GC2018
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.