Sally Pearson happy to lift Australian pressure

Pearson clinched Australia's first track and field gold in London, taking Australia's gold tally to four

I / London August 08, 2012, 17:06 IST

Sally Pearson today admitted that she felt the pressure to rescue Australia's flagging Olympics campaign when she lined up for her 100m hurdles triumph.

Pearson clinched gold in 12.35sec last night to win her country's first track and field gold of the Games.

It was only Australia's fourth gold of the London Games.

"The whole team felt the pressure," said Pearson. "But as an athlete and one of the favourites to win, you try and put yourself in a little bubble and not get distracted by things like that. I think our Australian team have been doing fantastic. There is nothing wrong with silver and bronze but to be able to win gold for our country is something really special."

Cyclist Anna Meares had won Australia's third gold of the Games earlier in the day, beating long-standing British rival Victoria Pendleton in the women's sprint.

She too had been stunned by the reception she had received from her teammates.

"I think the whole team is feeling the pressure. I was very surprised when I walked around the village to realise how many of the Australian team had watched Sally and I compete last night and how many people expressed their congratulations," said Meares.