Sally Pearson switches focus to Commonwealth Games after Rio Olympic Games injury heartbreak

SALLY Pearson has turned her focus to the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast following her heartbreaking injury withdrawal from Rio.

Sally Pearson has been robbed of the chance to defend her Olympic 100m hurdles title by injury.

SALLY Pearson is adamant her best is yet to come after turning her focus to the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast.

Pearson yesterday officially withdrew from the Olympic Games in Brazil after suffering a hamstring injury in training on Monday.

The injury has robbed Australia of arguably its biggest Olympic name and Pearson will not get the opportunity to defend the 100m hurdles crown she won at the 2012 Games in London.

At 29, Pearson is facing an uphill battle to feature at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo and has shifted her focus to the 2018 Commonwealth event in her home town.

Whether it is official or not, Pearson will be the face of the Gold Coast Games and said she was far from finished as a professional.

“There’s not many chances you get to run in a major championships 10 minutes up the road from your house,’’ she said.

“I know what type of athlete I am and what I’m capable of as an athlete,” Pearson said.

“I don’t think I’ve reached my peak yet. I think I’m capable of a lot more.

Pearson insists her best performances are still ahead of her.

“This is a low time for me and it has been for a few years with different injuries, but I’ve always bounced back.’’

Pearson said her first target would be next year’s world championships in London.

The hamstring injury was the final nail in a troubled preparation for Pearson which started with a shattered wrist in Rome last year.

She suffered a 14cm tear in her calf muscle after the wrist injury and was well off her best times before her hamstring gave way.

Pearson, the 2010 and 2014 Commonwealth champion, said her injury was a freak incident and not the result of trying to play catch-up.

“I was really confident and I think that’s what hurts the most,’’ she said. “I was starting to feel normal again, and my body just went on me.’’

Pearson was adamant she would have won a medal in Rio.

“Everyone pushes their body to the limit,’’ she said. “Unfortunately I tipped over the ledge.

“There were no signs this was going to happen.

“The last three years have been frustrating with injuries every single year.

“It’s just my body saying ‘give me a break and time to recover’.’’

Pearson could yet head to Rio as captain and mentor for the Australian track and field team.