Sally Pearson’s withdrawal could impact sponsorship deals as she sets sights on Tokyo Olympics

SALLY Pearson’s shock withdrawal from the Commonwealth Games comes at an awkward time for the hurdles champion who is looking to breath life into sponsor talks that had stalled of late.

SALLY Pearson’s shock withdrawal from the Commonwealth Games comes at an awkward time for the hurdles champion who is negotiating a new deal with her major sponsor.

The reigning world champion’s most recent contract with Adidas has expired and negotiations had stalled in the lead-up to the Games.

Pearson has been with the footwear giant since she was 16 and became one of their most high profile track and field ambassadors.

It’s understood the length of the new deal had been the sticking point with the Pearson camp seeking a three-year deal which would take her past the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Pearson’s manager Robert Joske said he would resume talks with Adidas next week.

“They’ve offered us a contract which we will probably get our heads into next week,” Joske said.

Commonwealth Games are so special, being in the village reminds you how fortunate you are

Charges laid over alleged sexual assault at the Commonwealth Games village

Kyle Chalmers crowned the new king of swimming as gold medals rain down on Australian athletes

Sally Pearson is adamant she will compete at the next Olympics

“It just needs a bit of renegotiating but I’m pretty sure we will be signing on for another two years.”

Pearson has been in demand since winning her second world title last year and expanded her sponsorship portfolio in the lead-up to the Commonwealth Games.

She appeared alongside the world’s fastest man, Usain Bolt, for a Coles ad and also flew to Japan in February for a publicity shoot for the Japan National Tourism Organisation.

The 2012 Olympic champion is the face of a new marketing campaign to promote Japan to Australian travellers.

Pearson will complete her duties as Commonwealth Games ambassador before heading overseas with her husband Kieran for a short holiday.

Her immediate focus according to Joske is to support her teammates.

Sally Pearson withdrew from the Commonwealth Games due to injury

“She’s now looking to throw herself into assistant coaching the team and mentoring the younger kids in the team,” he said.

“She will be out there as the head cheerleader, she has always had a passion to be out there supporting her teammates but often doesn’t get the opportunity because her event is always late in the program.

“This time she will be really supporting them and leading from the front.”

Joske said he was disappointed there had been an element of criticism of the timing of Pearson’s withdrawal which came a day after she played a starring role in the Games opening ceremony.

“The bulk of the nation understands the pain, they know the woman now and it’s not as if she is coming out of the blue,” he said.

“They know she is a competitor and she’s a fighter and she wouldn’t be doing this if she could run. She couldn’t even run across hurdles on Tuesday.”

Pearson, 31, won’t race again this year and will spend months slowing building up her Achilles with an eye to defending her world crown in Doha next year.

Originally published as Sally Pearson’s withdrawal could impact sponsorship deals as she sets sights on Tokyo Olympics