Athletics Australia has appointed Sally Pearson as a technical athlete consultant ©Getty Images

Athletics Australia has appointed London 2012 Olympic 100 metres hurdles champion Sally Pearson as a technical athlete consultant.

Athletics Australia made three new appointments to its high performance department. 

Andrew Faichney has moved from high performance systems head to high performance general manager, with Leisel Jones announced as athlete wellbeing and engagement coordinator. 

Having retired from athletics last year, Pearson will drive high-performance culture and outcomes for selected athletes.

The 34-year-old earned Olympic gold at London 2012 after finishing with silver in the 100m hurdles at Beijing 2008. 

She also achieved Commonwealth titles at Glasgow 2014 and Delhi 2010, and world titles in 2017 and 2011. 

"For some time, I have felt a strong purpose in helping to inspire the next generation of athletes in Australia," Pearson said.

"I’m really looking forward to this high-performance position. 

"It will provide me with another platform to influence the emerging and elite athletes included in the sport’s national programme."

Sally Pearson earned Olympic gold in the 100m hurdles at London 2012 ©Getty Images
Sally Pearson earned Olympic gold in the 100m hurdles at London 2012 ©Getty Images

Faichney is set to focus on high performance leadership and planning, and stakeholder and partner engagement.    

He will also take the lead on the development of the high performance programme and drive the delivery of the performance strategy, ensuring that the Australian athletics team is prepared for the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Tokyo next year.

"I’ve been working in athletics for most of my professional career, and I am delighted to be given this opportunity," he said.  

"While the immediate goal of my team is focusing on the performances of our athletes at the Olympics and Paralympics next year, I’m looking forward to putting more systems in place so that Australia can become a future leader in world athletics."

Jones, who is currently studying psychology, will combine her 20 years in high performance sport and her passion for mentoring athletes to support the Australian athletics team on and off the track. 

"Supporting athletes towards career success has always been a passion of mine and this has been enhanced upon retirement from professional swimming," Jones said. 

"Aligning my expanding knowledge of psychology with my role at Athletics Australia is a dream and I look forward to working with the athletes to develop their skills in pursuit of world class performance."

Further Athletics Australia high-performance coaching appointments are expected be made in the coming weeks.