Champion hurdler Sally Pearson reveals how fellow Olympian Anna Meares saved her career

AS Olympic champion Sally Pearson thought of giving it all away, it was a series of text messages from Anna Meares that helped her through the dark days.

Olympians Anna Meares and Sally Pearson at Circular Quay, Sydney, talking about their preparations for the Rio Olympics. pic Mark Evans

AS Olympic champion Sally Pearson thought of giving it all away a text message appeared on her phone from track cyclist Anna Meares.

Meares, who broke her neck in a race crash and seven months on delivered one the greatest comebacks to snatch silver at the Beijing Olympics, knew Pearson’s pain.

Pearson shattered her left wrist in a race fall last June — the traumatic “bone explosion” left her considering retirement — but the advice from the now two-time Olympic champion helped her through some dark days.

“Anna told me just to hang in there,” Pearson said, who was devastated to miss this year’s world championships.

“In the texts she said some really inspirational things to keep me going. I was in a down period and I didn’t want to come back to the sport. I hated everything. I hated the world. When you have someone text you who has been through the same thing, as they are getting ready for an Olympics, they are the people who really understand the feelings you are going through.”

Sally Pearson screams in pain after shattering her wrist.

The pair also share a ferociously competitive spirit and first developed a strong bond by both delivering silver medals in Beijing, then gold medals in London — all on the same Olympic competition night.

“My connection with Sally has been quite historic and quite powerful as well,” Meares said. “We both won silver on the same night in Beijing, we both won gold together on the same night in London, now to be able to be ambassadors for Cadbury is a nice little correlation to share. It’s something special for the two of us.”

On Tuesday the talented duo of Pearson and Meares were named as Cadbury’s new Olympic ambassadors at the Australian Olympic Committee’s headquarters.

Olympians Sally Pearson and Anna Meares have forged a strong relationship. Picture: Mark Evans

Meares said she finds inspiration in the hurdler’s fighting spirit on and off the track.

“She is a great, great, great woman,” Meares, 32, said. “I take a lot of inspiration from her as well.”

“I have been in touch regularly with her rehabilitation and recovery process because I have been in that position. I know what it feels like. Sometimes it is nice to get a positive message from someone who understands. I have really enjoyed being able to offer that to her.”

Pearson is due to start hurdling in training again in the New Year and is making a steady recovery from her injury, which saw her break two bones and dislocate her wrist. She has not set a return date to competition.

Sally Pearson's x-ray of her broken wrist.

For Meares, who became the most successful woman in her sport when she snared her 11th world title in February, her warm-up to Rio continues strongly.

A highlight for Meares and Kaarle McCulloch, the pair are three-time world champions, was combining in the team sprint to win gold at the Oceania track cycling championships in New Zealand on the weekend.

“I was really pleased,” Meares said. “It was a bit of a dip of the toe in the water to see where the pre-season prep has fronted me for international competition.”

As for Rio? It is due to be Meares’ fourth games and Pearson’s third. Pearson, 29, says she hopes their triumphant Olympic storylines continue on in Brazil.

“Let’s just hope the same thing happens again next year,” Pearson said, laughing.

Originally published as Champion hurdler Sally Pearson reveals how fellow Olympian Anna Meares saved her career