Australian world champion Sally Pearson on Thursday expressed her high confidence ahead of the Olympic 100m hurdles.
Pearson has emerged as the dominant force in women’s short hurdles, racing the fourth fastest time ever (12.28sec) in winning world gold in Daegu, South Korea, last summer.
The Australian’s form has continued this season, although she suffered one blip when she lost to American rival Kellie Wells.
But Pearson said she had discounted that loss and was shooting for gold when the final comes around on Tuesday.
“If it all goes to plan I should be winning, especially as my personal best is much better than theirs,” she said.
“I am number one and everyone else is second and let’s hope that’s how it turns out on Tuesday night.”
Pearson added: “I would be satisfied with any medal. I would rather that than coming fourth. But I want the gold.
“I know how to keep grounded, keep focused and stay hungry. I have always stayed hungry. But I know it will be tough. The Olympic Games aren’t easy.
“It is not just another race but, at the same time, it is just another race against the same people you race against all season.”
The Australian said her narrow loss to Wells at the London Diamond League meet last month was already history.
“It wasn’t a wake-up call because you can’t win every single race. After my fall in the warm-up, I was a bit shook up,” Pearson said.
“At the same time she (Wells) only beat me by two-hundredths (of a second) when I had a bad day, so I feel sorry for them all when I have a good day.
“It keeps me wanting to win and on my toes. It was just one of those days which you put to the back of your mind and try to forget.”
No one has come close to cracking the long-standing 100m hurdles record of 12.21sec, set by Bulgarian Yordanka Donkova way back in 1998, but Pearson said it remained on her mind.
“I know I can break the world record sometime but I take one race at a time,” she said.
“Everyone expects me to be winning and if that’s a world record then so be it.”
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