Olympic Champion Sally Pearson Parts Ways With Coach Sharon Hannan
Olympic champion Sally Pearson publicly announced on Wednesday that she has officially cut her ties with coach of 14 years, Sharon Hannan.
"Sharon has made me a champion," Pearson said. "However, I feel that in order for me to move on to another level, I need to freshen up my approach when it comes to training, like develop new ideas and integrate new challenges in the way I perform or do business," Pearson added.
"My competitors are always making every effort to improve themselves and feel that I should do the same," Pearson said.
Pearson and Hannan first met in Queensland in 1999 during a Little Athletics meet. Pearson was 12 then. Under Hannan's direction and leadership, Pearson became one of Australia's greatest champions in track and field.
In 2011, Pearson was named female athlete of the year by the International Association of Athletic Federations, which makes her the very first Australian to get the coveted award. She received a massive $100,000 as prize money. She has also won a silver medal in the 100 metres hurdles at the 2013 World Championships and at the 2008 Summer Olympics. In the 2012 Olympics, she was recognised as the champion in the 100 metres hurdles.
Indeed, Pearson and Hannan's 14-year partnership had been one of the most long-term partnerships in Australian sport, concluding in Pearson's success in track and field.
Hannan expressed her feelings regarding Pearson's decision to part ways with her. "I am disappointed but Sally believes that this is the best for her," Hannan said in a statement. "We have dominated the world and we had great performances," Hannan added.
Pearson did not state who will replace Hannan as her coach, but she is expected to have a meeting with the head coach of Athletics Australia, Eric Hollingsworth. We can only wish Pearson success and hope that she continues to dominate the world. Pearson is currently eyeing on the world titles in Poland and the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, which will take place in March and July, respectively.