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Sally Pearson won’t defend Olympic hurdles title after injury, reports say

BRISBANE, Australia (AP) — Hurdles gold medalist Sally Pearson has reportedly withdrawn from the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro because of a hamstring injury.

The Herald Sun newspaper and other Australian media reported Wednesday that Pearson, the 100-meter hurdles Olympic champion in London four years ago and silver medalist at Beijing in 2008, injured her hamstring while training on Australia’s Gold Coast.

Pearson only returned to competition earlier this month following a year’s absence after breaking her wrist in a racing accident. She returned to Australia to work on her speed after three races in Europe.