https://www.gc2018.com
World Champion Sally Pearson has officially withdrawn from the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games due to an Achilles injury.
The Olympic, two-time world and dual Commonwealth Games hurdles gold medallist made the announcement on Thursday 5 April.
"I did everything I possibly could do get out and race for Australia," Pearson said.
"I was full of confidence warming up (for training two days ago). I went into a hurdles drills and couldn't do it. These injuries can spike very quickly. It was unfortunate the timing was now but my health comes first.
"This is about my health, I want to go to Tokyo in 2020.
"Gutted, absolutely gutted. There was a lot of tears flowing. I guess you could call it grief."
Having had a close association with GC2018, since the development of the successful bid in 2011, it's not the end of the Gold Coast Games for the Ambassador.
As a champion on and off the track, GC2018.com takes a look at Pearson's starring and inspirational role in the Games journey.
After her 100m hurdles triumph at Glasgow 2014, Pearson not only starred as Australia’s closing ceremony flag-bearer but also presented the GC2018 dream to the world. Transitioning from Glasgow 2014 to Gold Coast 2018, Pearson joined Australian surfer legend Mick Fanning and Darwin-born singer Jessica Mauboy on stage to present GOLDOC's vision of staging the best Games possible.
On 12 July 2016, Pearson was officially appointed the first Ambassador of the Gold Coast Games. Surrounded by budding athletics stars, Pearson stated "I’m thrilled to have officially joined the Gold Coast 2018 family to help get people all over the world as excited as I am about this magnificent event."
