Australian double World champion Pittman, returns in quest for Olympics glory

Photo: Former 400m hurdles World Champion Jana Pittman (Zimbio)

The disappointment of not having Olympic silverware has in the past caused numerous athletes to delay their retirement and also motivate retired athletes to return to track and field. One such athlete is two-time 400m hurdles world champion, Jana Pittman.

The Australian athlete had called time on her track career in 2012, and taken on the sport of Bobsleigh.She even went on to represent her country at last year’s Winter Olympics in Sochi.

The 32 year old athlete is however brushing off her spikes in a quest to make next year’s summer Rio Olympics games.

Pittman, who is taking an all-or-nothing approach, made her debut at the 2000 Sydney Olympics and then followed up with a fifth placing in the 400m hurdles final at Athens in 2004. She went on to win the 2007 Osaka World Championship gold, to add to the same title she won in 2003.

Persistent injuries has been her story thereafter and caused her spots at the 2008 and 2012 games.

Pittman made it clear that she has some unfinished business which has motivated her for one last crack at Olympic glory.

“I’ve been very lucky to have a very successful career at a World Championship, Commonwealth Games level, but I grew up as a child only ever wanting to go to the Olympics. For me it’s the ultimate of all achievements, it just has that beautiful pinnacle of Olympic Games attached to it”. Pittman told AAP news media,Australia.

Cognizant of the fact that she is no longer a youngster, she will use the next 12 months and her progress from a track perspective to determine her future in the sport.

Pittman’s first competitive race is slated for December 2015.