ATHLETICS: Australian hurdler Sally Pearson returns to London's Olympic stadium where she won gold a year ago hoping "happy memories" will spark a return to form ahead of next month's IAAF world championships. 

For Pearon the reigning 100m hurdles world champion says despite getting "slower and slower" in recent meets she's increasingly confident of defending her title in Moscow. 

"I'm a lot more positive coming into this competition than I was in all the other competitions and I'm actually feeling excited about Moscow now," Pearson said ahead of competing in the Diamond League Anniversary Games on Saturday.

"I now am believing that three weeks is a great amount of time to finish off my preparations for the world champs. 

"I do believe that I can win the world championships." 

Pearson said her training indicated she could run fast times, she just needs to put a whole race together when it counts. 

"Some races my starts have been really good, and the first half has been good, but the end hasn't been so good," the 26-year-old told reporters in London. 

"Sometimes it can be the other way around." 

After overcoming a frustrating series of hamstring injuries, Pearson in late June won her first race back after claiming gold at the 2012 London Games. But she's struggled since. 

The Queenslander on Thursday said the only "fantastic" time posted this year was Brianna Rollins' 12.26 seconds at the United States trials. 

Pearson said the American's time was "way out there" and Rollins would want to repeat that at the worlds to take gold. 

"I think it probably will take that (to win in Moscow)," Pearson said. 

"My body remembers how to do it - it's just getting it done." 

The Australian's PB is 12.28 when winning the 2011 world championships in Daegu. 

The Olympic champion said returning to the east London stadium would be "bizarre" because "it's almost going to feel like the Olympic final again with the same girls". 

"Walking through the tunnel out into the stadium will bring back some very happy memories and I hope they can spark some good energy through me so I can run a fast race." 

Pearson will not be alone over the two-day competition with 2012 Olympians Zoe Buckman (1500m), Lauren Boden (400mH), Benn Harradine (discus), Kim Mickle (javelin) and Kathryn Mitchell (javelin) all getting the chance to re-live the London atmosphere as they prepare for Moscow.

World championship athletes Kelly Hetherington (800m), Brandon Starc (high jump) and Fabrice Lapierre (long jump) all missed London 2012 but will relish this experience.

Jackie Areson (5000m) will be hoping  to secure World Championship selection with a strong showing as a recent Australian national.

 

 

Thanks to AAP and Athletics Australia