Australia's Sally Pearson (C) clears a hurdle on her way to win gold in the women's 100m hurdles final during the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium August 7, 2012. Pearson crossed the line in 12.35 seconds, setting a new Olympic record. Also seen are Canada's Jessica Zelinka (L) and Turkey's Nevin Yanit. (Photo : REUTERS/David Gray )

Sally Pearson won gold medal in women’s 100-meter hurdles Tuesday by just 0.02 seconds, bringing home Australia’s fourth gold medal at the London Olympics.

Pearson made an Olympics-record in 12.35 seconds, edging defending champion Dawn Harper of the U.S., who finished with 12.37 seconds. The bronze medal also went to the U.S., with Kellie Wells finishing in 12.48 seconds. Lolo Jones fell out from the medals and finished fourth in 12.58 seconds.

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It took several seconds for the scoreboard to show the final results of the race. When Sally Pearson’s name flashed up first, the Australian athlete let out a scream and fell onto her knees in tears. She then blessed the track and rolled on her back.

''Oh my God. This is absolutely incredible,'' Pearson said, according to The Australian.

''I said to myself ‘I want this. It has to be mine. It can't go any other way.’”

''I was so nervous and so scared for it but I was ready. I wasn't going to let anything stop me,'' the Olympic champion reflected.

''It wasn't the fastest time I'd run but I don't care, I said ‘I don't care if I run 14 seconds I just want that gold medal.’”

"I didn't realize how close Dawn Harper was," Pearson continued.

"I wasn't going to let myself look until I crossed the finish line and when I crossed the line and saw we were all lined up really close and everyone in yellow over there was saying "It's yours" and I thought I don't believe it until I see it on the screen. And then it came up and it's, oh, a relief. Nothing hurts at the moment. I feel like I'm walking on a cloud."

Sally Pearson became the first ever to win gold in the 100-meter hurdles. Australian athletes Shirley Strickland (1952, 1956) and Maureen Caird (1968) have won gold in sprint hurdles, but both in 80-meter hurdles, before the 100-meter races were introduced in 1972.

At the Beijing 2008 Olympics, Sally Pearson won the silver medal in the 100-meter hurdles with 12.64 seconds. The 25-year-old hurdler continued to rise in her record, winning five out of seven races and breaking the Australian and Oceanian record during the 2009 European season.

Pearson further shortened her time at the 2011 World Championships in South Korea, where she produced the fourth and the fifth fastest time in history, 12.28s and 12.36s, beating her own record.