Pearson warns Olympic rivals with fast run

Australia's world champion hurdler Sally Pearson said her Olympic rivals should be fearful after running a sizzling time at the Melbourne Track Classic on Saturday. Pearson won the 100-metre hurdles in 12.49secs -- the fourth-fastest time of her career and the quickest in Australia -- to send her rivals a warning in the countdown to the London Olympics. Former world championships bronze medallist Craig Mottram was the other star of the night, as he won the men's 5000m in style to secure a place in the Australian Olympic team. Pearson was thrilled with her time in the wet conditions. "Holy crap! I don't know what to say. It's just really fantastic and really exciting," said Pearson, who finished well clear of American Yvette Lewis (13.22). "At the same time I've got to keep grounded, I've got to focus on the London Olympics -- that's still a long way away and a lot more training to go. "I know I'm in good shape and I'm loving it and I've just got to look after myself -- that's all I can do." Pearson had hoped to run under 23secs in the 200m later in the evening, but again finished just short in 23.02secs. But she said her hurdles rivals ought to be concerned by her great form in her pet event five months out from the Olympics. "They'd be worried, but at the same time there's nothing I can do about that," she said. Mottram, one of the world's best middle-distance runners in his prime, turned back the clock after years of setbacks and earned a standing ovation by winning in 13:18.58. Mottram ran a lap of honour after surging clear of Collis Birmingham (13:22.30) with about 250m remaining. "I'm a passionate athlete, I always have been and I've always been excited when I've run well. Tonight I ran well, so why not? It's been a long time coming. I'm getting there," he said. In the men's 800m Australia's Jeff Riseley (1:45.62) secured Olympic qualification by finishing second to Kenya's world champion David Rudisha (1:44.33). Riseley is yet to qualify in his pet event, the 1500m, but said he was considering running both events in London. In the men's 400m, Commonwealth Games gold medallist John Steffensen let pass a chance to earn automatic Olympic qualification, as he eased up on the finish line. Steffensen beat a strong field in 45.74secs, but needed to run 45.30 for automatic qualification. But he insisted he had plenty of time to post a faster performance. "If I ran that fast now I'd be worried because that wouldn't leave me a lot of room," he said. "My personal best is 44.7 and I believe in your lifetime you only have two or three personal bests in you when you get to this elite level. "So you want to make that personal best on the big stage because that's what you guys want to see." Youcef Abdi was determined to leave nothing to chance when he won the men's 3000m steeplechase in a time (8:35.29) quick enough to secure an Olympic berth. Former world champion Dani Samuels won the women's discus but her best throw of 61.30m wasn't good enough to earn automatic Olympic qualification. In the men's long jump, Henry Frayne (8.09m) beat Fabrice Lapierre (8.00m), but neither posted results good enough to join Mitchell Watt in the Olympic team. Watt sat out Saturday's meet. Athletics Australia is set to announce its initial Olympic team on Monday, and can expand it with discretionary selections.