Bold Pearson to take a walk on the wild side
OLYMPIC hurdles champion Sally Pearson has been added to the board of Athletics Australia.
The Gold Coast resident, who won hurdles gold in London in 2012 and is a two-time world champion, is also the chairwoman of the athletes’ advisory group and will join the board as a director.
“I’m really looking forward to working with the Athletics Australia board, helping the sport to grow, and giving our athletes the best chance to achieve their best in competition,” Pearson said yesterday. “As an athlete and my own coach, I have insights into what it takes to achieve international success at the highest level.
“I’m hoping to help the sport by contributing at the board level.
“Athlete welfare is also a critical area for me and, as part of the Athletes’ Advisory Group, in conjunction with the board, we’re already working on programs to address this issue.”
Pearson, who earlier this year opened up about her battles with anxiety, will speak about mental health in sport with Athletics Australia psychologist Jonah Oliver at a workshop in Brisbane on September 25.
After missing the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games with an achilles injury, Pearson has returned to training to prepare to defend her world title in Doha next year.