'More than we could've hoped for': Sally Pearson's beautiful baby news
Retired Olympic champion Sally Pearson will have her hands full during the Tokyo Games, with a baby rather than a gold medal.
Pearson, who announced her retirement in August, has confirmed she is pregnant with her first child, which is due just before the 2020 Olympics opening ceremony in July.
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A 100m hurdles gold medallist at the 2012 Olympics and 2011 and 2017 world champion, Pearson shared the news via social media.
On Monday night she posted a photo of a pair of baby shoes alongside her running spikes positioned in blocks.
She followed that up on Tuesday morning with a photo of her holding an ultrasound image of the baby and her husband Kieran holding the baby shoes.
"My husband Kieran and I are pleased to announce that we are expecting our first child," 33-year-old Pearson wrote.
"To start the next chapter of our lives with such joy and love is more than we could've ever hoped for.
"We are looking forward to meeting our little one in July this year, just before the Tokyo Olympics start!! Gotta start them young."
Pearson’s shock retirement call
Pearson announced her surprise retirement last year after persistent injuries sank her dream of regaining the Olympic title in Tokyo next year.
The Olympic gold-medallist in 2012 and a two-time world champion over 100 metres hurdles, Pearson said after years of injuries her body "is just not up to it".
"After 16 years of being on the Australian team, it's time to hang up the spikes," Pearson told a press conference in Sydney.
Recounting a litany of injuries which have plagued her since she won gold at the London Olympics in 2012, Pearson said the problems were "just ongoing and ongoing".
"Every time I want to go fast, the body doesn't want to. So, I don't think I could take any more injuries," she said.
"I have huge doubts for the next year for me to be able to continue at the level that I expect of myself, and also what the country expects of me when I go to the Olympics."
with AFP
