ATHLETICS: Olympic champion Sally Pearson makes her long-awaited return to racing this week, just as the global 100m hurdles scene has undergone a dramatic change.
ATHLETICS: Olympic champion Sally Pearson makes her long-awaited return to racing this week, just as the global 100m hurdles scene has undergone a dramatic change.
Brianna Rollins' scintillating win in 12.26 seconds at last weekend's US national championships was the fastest time in the world in more than two decades.
It was also two hundredths of a second faster than Pearson's personal best, set in 2011.
The Australian was quick to respond, tweeting that Rollins' rapid improvement ensured she would have to bring her A++ game to August's world championships in Moscow to successfully defend her world title.
After finally recovering from a serious of hamstring injuries, Pearson will contest her favoured event for the first time since that unforgettable Olympic final in London at the Golden Spike meet in the Czech city of Ostrava on Thursday night (early Friday morning AEST).
Pearson and her coach Sharon Hannan would be satisfied with a time in the 12.5s or low 12.6s, giving her a solid platform to build on during a six-meet program ahead of the August 10-18 world titles.
"In a way, the landscape can't change for us because we really can't do anything about what any other competitor does," Hannan told AAP from London in the wake of Rollins' blistering run.
"We're doing everything we can to get Sally as fast as we can.
"But it does make the event more exciting and that's really good because events need that, they need a shake-up, because it's not fun when the same three people are up on the podium all the time."
Pearson will have to tackle a powerhouse four-pronged American attack at the world titles.
The 21-year-old Rollins, Queen Harrison and Nia Ali gained the three automatic qualifying berths by claiming the podium spots at the US trials, while London Olympic silver medallist Dawn Harper gets a wildcard entry as the defending Diamond League champion.
After reinjuring her left hamstring in Sri Lanka in May while attempting to help Australia qualify a 4x100m relay team for the world championships, the fiercely competitive Pearson has had to undergo a tough rehabilitation program before returning to the track.
"It has been difficult to hold her back," acknowledged Hannan.
"All the hamstring rehab was really difficult for Sal.
"She had to back right off and really hated it.
"But it's paid off."
Three other members of Australia's world championships squad, high jumper Brandon Starc, 400m hurdler Lauren Boden and 1500m runner Zoe Buckman, will be competing alongside Pearson in Ostrava.
Compatriots Youcef Abdi (3000m steeplechase) and Brett Robinson (5000m) have also earned starts at the Golden Spike meet.
John Salvado
AAP
