Sprinter Sally Pearson says she's devastated after being denied her Commonwealth Games 100 metres gold medal in the most heartbreaking manner, and has received support from former athletics champ Jane Flemming.
Hours after believing she'd become the first Australian in 36 years to win a Commonwealth 100 metres title, Pearson was stunned to be told she'd been disqualified for a false start after the English team protested, AAP reports.
Australia lodged an immediate counter-appeal, but it was turned down by the IAAF jury of appeal.
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Pearson says the worst thing of all was being led to believe there was nothing wrong as she made her way to the medals ceremony before learning of the appeal.
The gold medal went to second place-getter Osayemi Oludamola of Nigeria.
Pearson later said she will use her anger and disappointment at being denied the 100m gold medal to try to come out on top in the hurdles.
But that wasn't enough for Flemming, who took the opportunity to attack the management of the Games.
"I think the disqualification was fair but the process was unfair," the ABC reports Flemming as saying.
She said it was a disgrace that Pearson was allowed to run a victory lap before being told.
"The whole process was ordinary, but that does seem to be what we've come to expect over her", Flemming said.
