Pearson splits with long-time coach
Olympic 100m hurdles champion Sally Pearson has ended one of the most successful partnerships in Australian sport, parting ways with coach Sharon Hannan.
Pearson, 27, announced the split on Wednesday, saying she needed to freshen up her ideas and training.
Hannan had coached her since they first met at a Little Athletics meet in Queensland way back in 1999 when Pearson was just 12 years old.
Under Hannan’s guidance, Pearson has become one of Australia’s greatest track and field champions, being crowned the IAAF’s female athlete of the year in 2011 after claiming her first world title.
She also won a first Olympic gold medal last year in London.
But her 2013 campaign has been a more challenging one, with Pearson battling two serious hamstring injuries before claiming a courageous silver medal at the world championships in Moscow in August.
Relations between Pearson and Hannan have became increasingly strained in the subsequent two months, leading to Wednesday’s shock announcement.
“The time is right for us to go our separate ways,” Pearson said in a statement.
“Sharon has made me into a champion but I feel that to move to another level I need to freshen up my approach to training, develop fresh ideas and incorporate new challenges into the way I do business.
“My competitors are always striving to make themselves better and I must do the same.
“Sharon is an amazing coach and I will continue to attribute my success to her.”
Hannan admitted she was disappointed that Pearson had decided to seek a new coach.
“Yes I am disappointed, but Sally and I discussed the options and she believes this is best for her,” said Hannan.
“We had some amazing performances.
“We have conquered the world and I wish her every success for the future and hope that she continues to conquer the world.”
The search for Hannan’s successor will begin in earnest on Friday when Pearson meets with Athletics Australia head coach Eric Hollingsworth.
The Queenslander’s main targets in 2014 are the world indoor titles in Poland in March and the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow beginning in July.
As part of her preparation for the world indoors, Pearson is likely to contest several meets during the Australian summer season.
Pearson’s manager Robert Joske insisted there would be no rush in appointing a new coach to replace Hannan.
“The bigger the decision, the longer the time you should take on it and this is a big decision,” said Joske.
“We’re not going to be rushed into it.”
Pearson's haul under Hannan
2012 Olympics gold medal
2011 World Championships gold medal
2008 Olympics silver medal
2013 World Championships silver medal
2011 World Indoor Championships gold medal
2010 Commonwealth Games gold medal
Personal best of 12.28 seconds set in 2011 places Pearson fifth on the all-time list
