THANKS TO TRUE STARS
DESPITE the hopes and dreams of two giants of Gold Coast and world sport and the wishes of a city now hosting the 2018 Commonwealth Games, two fairy tales failed to happen yesterday.
Australian athletics pin-up Sally Pearson admitted to having succumbed to an injury that has refused to heal in time for the Games, robbing her of the opportunity – and indeed her right – to defend her Games crown in the 100m hurdles and to be a key member of the 4x100m relay team.
And on a windswept, rugged piece of Victorian coastline facing the Southern Ocean, three-time world champion Mick Fanning mowed down rivals and friends, including Owen Wright, to burst into the final of his career swan song at Bells Beach, where he won his first World Surf League tour event as a wildcard entry 17 years ago, only to be defeated by a rising star of the sport, Brazilian surfer Italo Ferreira.
Both Pearson and Fanning began yesterday as sentimental favourites for fans in their home city and across the world.
Pearson’s journey to this point had been a remarkable story of endurance and overcoming adversity in a sport that is as cruel as it can be kind. When things have fallen into place, she has been the darling of world athletics as she has chalked up gold medal performances at previous Commonwealth Games and at the Olympics.
She seemed composed at her media conference yesterday. But before then the word had spread like wildfire. The Australian athletics team captain, who had shown signs she was struggling with injury and had walked her section of the Queen’s Baton Relay when it entered the stadium for the opening ceremony, was pulling out of the competition.
As she spoke of being gutted, the Gold Coast shared her disappointment.
If Pearson is true to form though, she will overcome this injury, as she has done before, and she will compete at the Tokyo Olympics.
Fanning meanwhile retired with the grace and humility that are the mark of the man. And what a career he has enjoyed.
Three world championships, victory in 22 world tour events including four at Bells, and a world-famous tangle with a shark in South Africa in 2015. Along the way though he has suffered the pain of family tragedy and has also had to overcome injury that could have cut his career short.
Words like “star’’ and “champion’’ are used too often now in referring to sportspeople who, as good as they might be, still have a way to go to earn ultimate status. But Pearson and Fanning are true champions. We have much to thank them for.
Fanning departs competition on a high. Pearson, despite injury, remains in the game and at the top. If grit counts for anything, she will be back.