Despite running a "disgusting" 13.25s in her return to competitive racing following a season of injuries, Olympic champion Sally Pearson says she can't be written off as a medal hope in Rio.
Pearson, who had her left hamstring strapped, finished second last in the women's 100m hurdles at the Diamond League event in Birmingham on Sunday, but emerged unscathed and with a smile on her face.
And the slow time - nearly a second off her personal best 12.28s - should not be a reason to doubt her Rio chances, saying she's a "very realistic" chance at a medalling in August.
Pearson declared herself a "big occasion performer" and pointed to her lacklustre international seasons in 2013 and 2014 before winning World Championship silver and then Commonwealth gold as reason to be confident this year.
"I think so. I've done it before," she said.
"In 2013 I came out with a silver while getting my arse kicked in every single race.
"2014 was the same - getting my arse kicked every single race (before winning gold).
"Unfortunately I've had to keep chasing my tail a lot and try to catch up (this year).
"(But) I know I've done it in the past and I think it's very realistic that I can keep doing it this year."
Sunday's was the 29-year-old's first race since breaking her wrist in a shocking fall at Rome a year and a day ago.
In the horror 12 months which have followed, the 2012 Olympic champion contemplated retirement as she struggled with a calf tear and an Achilles complaint.
Those thoughts were far from her mind as she crossed the finish line on Sunday.
"I'm actually really excited which I wouldn't normally be because all I'd be looking at would be the result, and the result is disgusting," she said.
"But you can't control that. I could only control what I could do on the day. Today, that's what I had. It's nice to be back."
Pointing to her quick reaction time of 0.129s as reason to be excited, Pearson admitted she had work to do after being outpaced by her Rio rivals - with American Kendra Harrison confirming her place as the athlete to beat with a winning time of 12.46s.
Earlier, rising women's 400m star Morgan Mitchell ran a personal best to take third in her Diamond League debut, while Fabrice Lapierre also placed third in the men's long jump and Kathryn Mitchell finished second in the women's javelin.
In the women's 5000m, Genevieve LaCaze ran a personal best 15min27.13s to finish sixth, just behind countrywoman Eloise Wellings who ran 15min26.19s.
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