Commonwealth Games 2018: Australia's world champion hurdler Sally Pearson withdraws due to injury

Gold Coast: Australia’s world champion 100 metres hurdler Sally Pearson has been forced to withdraw from her home Commonwealth Games as she battles a serious Achilles injury that could sideline her for up to a year. Pearson’s absence is another blow for the quadrennial Games which have already been hit by a number of high-profile withdrawals by top athletes. [caption id=“attachment_4419027” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] File image of Australia’s Sally Pearson. AP[/caption] “Gutted. Absolutely gutted,” Pearson, a Gold Coast resident who had been the Games’ main ambassador for years, told reporters on Thursday. “There were a lot of tears flowing. “I guess you could call it grief. I was double and triple checking it was the right decision (to withdraw). “Not being able to go out on that track and run for Australia is gut-wrenching.” Pearson, who won gold at the London Olympics, said she knew she would not compete for two days but had delayed the announcement to play a part in the opening ceremony at Carrara Stadium on Wednesday where she was the last baton-bearer in the relay. “I had a big role to play in the opening ceremony which is why I waited until today to make the announcement,” said Pearson, one of Australia’s most decorated track athletes. “I did everything I possibly could. I left no stone unturned to run in the 100m hurdles and the 4x100m relay.”