© Copyright – 2020 – Athletics Illustrated

Melissa Breen. Photo credit: Athletics Australia

Sprinter Melissa Breen is hanging up the spikes, after a long and successful career.

The 100-metre Australian record holder competed in two Olympic Games as well as three Commonwealth Games. She won four international medals for Australia.

Her national record is 11.11 seconds, which she set at the ACT nationals in Canberra.

Sally Pearson gave birth to a girl that she and Kieran named Ruby Elizabeth.

Kieran and Sally Pearson with baby Ruby. Photo credit: Athletics Australia

The 33-year-old earned a gold medal at the 2012 London Olympic Games as well as a silver medal at the 2008 Olympics and the 2013 World Athletics Championships in the 100-metre hurdles.

Her personal bests are 11.14 in the 100m, 12.28 in the 100mh and 22.97 in the 200m event.

The Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) announced that it will give 34 national governing bodies funding due to the pandemic.

The AIS has increased its funding for the next two years for several sports.

Rugby Australia will get the lion’s share at $2.2 million, while seven Paralympic sports will have a combined boost of $1.5 million.

Men’s football will see an increase of $400,000 and surfing will have a boost of $200,000.

Chair of the Australian Sports Commission John Wylie said, “the investment was critical to ensure success in 2021.”