Pearson withdraws from Commonwealth Games due to injury

Pearson starred in Wednesday's opening ceremony on her native Gold Coast, however, the 31-year-old succumbed to the long-term issue on Thursday.

An Olympic Games champion during London 2012, Pearson was seeking a third Commonwealth Games gold having reigned supreme in the 100 metres hurdles in 2010 and 2014.

"I am here to announce I will pull out of the Australian Commonwealth Games athletics team in the 100m hurdles and the 4 x 100m hurdles and the 4 x 100m relay due to an Achilles issue that has been around for quite some time and has flared up," Pearson said during a scheduled news conference.

"That is my decision, obviously I'm very disappointed but I am happy to be here to support the Australian athletics team, and the Australian team as well."

Asked why she left the decision so late, Pearson said: "Two days ago. I was at a training session, I went there with full confidence, if you were here last week, in Brisbane, I raced in the competition, it was obvious I was in good shape and racing fast.

"I went to training, as planned, after the competition, I trained well in Brisbane at the camp, still very confident.

"A few days after that I came out to the Village and did another training session, full of confidence warming up. Then I went into some hurdle drills and run-throughs, just could not do it.

"The thing with the Achilles tendon is they spark very quickly. This has been ongoing for a couple of years and it is unfortunate the timing is now. My health comes first.