“I was gutted, absolutely gutted,” said Pearson who was aiming to win her third successive Commonwealth hurdles gold. “There were a lot of tears flowing, there were a lot of emotions, I guess you could call it grief, going through the numb phase first then going through the crying phase.” As late as Wednesday morning she had another meeting with Hilliard and Blackman to confirm there was no option of her getting on the track. “If I could have run who knows what would have happened, I could have been out for a lot longer than I am now,” Pearson said. “I have done everything I possibly can … it’s gut wrenching, it’s heartbreaking and it's very unfortunate that I can’t get out there. I went to the opening ceremony and heard the roar for Australia and not being able to feel that for myself in my individual events is very disappointing.”

Achilles injuries have plagued Pearson for years. This injury is to her push-off leg, whereas in 2015 when she crashed into the hurdles in Rome and landed on her arm, shattering most of the bones in her wrist, it was to her other leg. It was the memory of that injury and the knowledge of the damage that could be done from running that influenced her decision. She is determined to make it to the world championships next year and the Tokyo Olympics in 2020. “For me that’s the most important thing, that I can get to those competitions as strong as ever and be at my best again,” she said. “I want to get to Tokyo so I had to make that call from two days ago at training when I couldn’t even do a run-through.” The idea of retirement was contemplated for a period but it was felt Pearson had a proven ability to overcome injury and succeed in the past and this would be no different.

“I know deep down I can come back and be just as strong as I was last year,” she said. “I have had a lot of issues, a few injuries, even before Glasgow Commonwealth Games I tore my hamstring seven weeks before and came out and won gold. “It just proves to me I guess, more than anything, if I still want to do it, if I still love what I do, why am I going to give that up? “If I feel deep down that I can give so much more in this sport for the next few years then why don't I give it a shot? “I have to keep reminding myself, this is not over for me.”