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Sally Pearson pulls the trigger at the Commonwealth Games

31st July, 2014
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Sally Pearson suffered a devastating injury which has forced her out of the Olympics (AFP/Olivier Morin).
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31st July, 2014
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Sally Pearson sent an emphatic message to her 100m hurdles rivals at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow – “catch me if you can”

In cold, wet, and windy conditions in the main stadium, Pearson clocked 12.69 to be the fastest qualifier, well ahead of arch rival – England’s Tiffany Porter’s 12.84.

Two weeks ago Pearson decided to give the Australian pre-Games camp a miss to try and catch up on her interrupted preparation thanks to a hamstring injury – Pearson went to London to take on Powers, who beat her in a blanket finish.

That run got Pearson back on track, far more so than a pre-Games camp, but not in the eyes of head coach Eric Hollingsworth who gave Pearson a massive spray, publicly telling the athletics world Pearson had set a bad example as captain of the Australian track and field team.

That spray rightfully cost Hollingsworth his job, he was suspended by Athletics Australia for bringing the sport into disrepute, and the Australian Commonwealth Games Association supported Athletics Australia by taking away his accreditation and putting on the first plane home.

Ever since Hollingsworth was appointed head coach after the 2008 Beijing Games, his attitude has been his way or the highway, best summed up by Tamsyn Lewis, who described Hollingsworth as arrogant with no respect for his charges, adding “He should have been sacked years ago”.

Hollingsworth hasn’t spoken to the 27-year-old Pearson since March. Only a fool would ignore his greatest asset with Commonwealth gold in Delhi 2010, Olympic gold in London 2012, world indoor gold at Istanbul 2012, and world championship gold Daegu 2013.

Pearson has ticked all the major international boxes.

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Now Hollingsworth has gone, presumably permanently, there’s still business to be done in Glasgow, with Sally Pearson the key figure, and Eric Hollingsworth but a faded memory – already.

Overnight, the Aussies claimed just the one gold to Angela Ballard in the Para wheelchair 1500, and a gutsy one at that in the conditions, best summed up by one of Scotland’s favourite sons in comedian Billy Connolly who said there are only two seasons in Glasgow – July and winter.

Silvers went to cyclist Rohan Dennis in the time trial, and defending champion Kurt Fearnley in the Para 1500 wheelchair, and a bronze for Damon Kelley in the 105kg weightlifting.

So a quiet day for the Australians, allowing England to well and truly take command of the Commonwealth Games medal tally.

England – 44 gold, 40 silver, 39 bronze – total 123
Australia – 36 – 36 – 41 – 113.
Canada – 26 – 13 – 24 – 63..
Scotland – 14 – 13 – 16 – 43.

But tonight belongs to Sally Pearson and she will have compatriot company with Shannon McCann, and Michelle Jenneke also qualifying for the 100 hurdles title.

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