Less than a year after suffering a horrific ‘bone explosion’ in her left wrist, Australian hurdling idol Sally Pearson has been named as captain of the country’s athletics team for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

The 29-year-old was her nation’s golden girl at the London 2012 Games, winning their only track and field title in a thrilling 100m hurdles final in an Olympic record time of 12.35.

But few people who witnessed her sickening fall in the Golden Gala at Rome last June would have bet on her participating in a third Games.

“The niggles I’ve had are in the past now. I know how to get the job done no matter what’s happened in the lead-up”

Sally Pearson

My roomie @_AlanaBoyd and I made our 3rd Olympics tonight! #QFtoRio @AUSOlympicTeam pic.twitter.com/yxMB5OTPVL

— Sally Pearson OAM (@sallypearson) 3 de abril de 2016

At one stage following her fall in Italy, Pearson thought her entire lower arm might have to be amputated. She has not run competitively since, being forced to miss the world championships in Beijing last year.

Pearson went to Germany last month to meet sports injury specialist Hans-Wilhelm Muller-Wohlfahrt to discuss her progress. Although Pearson has fully recovered from her wrist injury, she has more recently been battling to come back from Achilles tendon issues.

“I’m fixed, that’s exactly what he (Muller-Wohlfahrt) said,” Pearson said. “The fourth day I was there he said, ’you’re fixed ... you are good to go’.”

Become an athletics expert with our interactive infographic

Pearson has delivered in difficult circumstances before. There was immense pressure on her in London: she had been compared to Cathy Freeman in the build-up and millions of Australians awoke in the early hours to watch her add gold to the silver she won at Beijing 2008.

Pearson's joy and relief pours out after winning gold at London 2012 (Photo: Getty Images/Cameron Spencer)

Initial reports at the weekend said she would not compete again until July, but Reuters reported on Monday (4 April) that she now hopes to return to the track in Australia in May. “We haven’t got anything set in stone,” Pearson said. “One of the reasons for that is because there hasn’t been anything confirmed just yet, but it will be likely towards the end of May.”

Pearson at an Olympic fundraiser in Sydney last year (Photo: Getty Images/Cameron Spencer)

The most successful athlete in the Australian team, Pearson has made some modifications to her starting technique and hopes to be at her peak to defend her title in Rio. She was one of 28 athletes selected on Sunday as members of the Australian Olympic Team for Rio. That brought the total to 35 and by mid-July the athletics section of the team could number some 50 athletes.

Athletics Australia head coach Craig Hilliard said “Sally is worth her weight in gold. She’s been there and knows what it takes to win a silver and then step up to the top of the podium. She will give guidance and advice to the younger athletes that will be invaluable.”