"It's going to be very, very difficult for anyone to come back from as serious an injury as she had - she's come back extremely well and extremely early," Anna said of Kerrie. "What I achieved last year was what I'd set out for myself to achieve over four to eight years. The track cyclist’s bronze medal, her sixth in four Olympics, secures her place in the pantheon of Australian Olympic greats – not that it ever was in doubt
February 12, 2005 — 11.00am. The youngest of four children, Anna Meares grew up in Middlemount, Queensland (AUS), and played a number of sports, including karate, BMX, triathlon and swimming. Anna’s international debut came at the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester where she won bronze in the 500m time trial behind older sister Kerrie who won gold. After a representative career that started at the Manchester 2002 Commonwealth Games, on the Gold Coast in 2018 Meares was the first bearer of the Queen’s baton, she had the distinction of having the track cycling venue named as the Anna Meares Velodrome.Now, with two years to the next edition of the Games in Birmingham in 2022, Anna Meares’ Commonwealth Games involvement travels the full cycle – named as a member of the 2022 Australian Team Executive.Meares will join fellow Olympic gold medallist and Chef de Mission The gold medal winning quartet will work alongside Commonwealth Games Australia’s General Manager Team Performance and Operations Meares ended her career on a high as flagbearer of the Australian Olympic team in Rio in 2016, during her illustrious career Meares captured eight Commonwealth Games medals, 11 world titles and two Olympic gold medals, to be one of the most successful Australian athletes on the international stage in any sport.The cycling champion she was looking forward to continuing her involvement at what would be her sixth Games, after four as an athlete and her role as an ambassador at the 2018 Games on the Gold Coast.“When Petria extended the invitation, it was really exciting. "Also this week, Anna beat Kerrie to win the 500m time trial and they combined to take out the team sprint.Canada's Olympic champion in the sprint, Lori-Ann Muenzer, beat Liz Williams of New Zealand 2-0 in the ride-off for last night's sprint bronze.Also last night, Shane Kelly led Victoria to a convincing win in the team sprint.He combined with Jason Niblett and Joel Leonard to easily beat Queensland in the three-lap final, 46.738 seconds to 47.803, while New South Wales was third.Queensland's Hayley Wright and Jeremy Hogg won the two under-19 keirin finals.NSW rider Kate Bates capped off an outstanding championships when she won the 25km points race.Bates dominated the early intermediate sprints to set up a commanding early lead and she finished on 33 points, with Tasmanian Belinda Goss second on 29 and Rochelle Gilmore (NSW) third on 25.Bates also won the 3000m individual pursuit and scratch race this week and these were the same three events she won last month at the Manchester round of the World Cup.While Bates has dominated the women's endurance events this week, Anna Meares will probably be crowned champions of champions at these championships.Anna has also won three golds and still has the keirin in today's final session.In the final race lastnight, Chris Pascoe of NSW beat teammate Ben Kersten and Tasmanian Darren Young to win an exciting 15km scratch race.Pascoe combined with Chris Sutton last Saturday night in Melbourne to win the Australian madison championship. Thomas believes the 2021-2022 sporting calendar will provide an unprecedented opportunity for Australian sport.“Changes to the world sporting calendar provide a great opportunity for our sports and athletes. As an 11-year-old, Anna and her sister Kerrie Meares were inspired to take up cycling by the exploits of Kathy Watt at the 1994 Commonwealth Games in Victoria, Canada. "Now I've sat back and had a think about what I want and I really want to wear the rainbow jersey (as world champion) in the sprint and keirin. "I claim she knocked me off (the bike), she claims I knocked her off, so we agree to disagree - it doesn't often get spoken about, actually," Anna said with a grin. She has been most successful in the 500 m time trial, winning three world titles (2004, 2007, 2012), one Olympic title (2004) and two … She also overcame significant setbacks during her career on the bike, so she understands that not everything goes your way.
"She's a marvellous tactician and when she's got the legs, she's got the legs.
"She needs to get back out there on the world racing scene and pick up some confidence, like she had when she was at the Commonwealth Games.Last night was the first time Anna and Kerrie had ridden against each other in a sprint final since their eventful under-19 race at the 2000 nationals. Is Anna Meares in the habit of Smoking? "While Anna, 21, eyes more rainbow tops, Kerrie, 22, is also impressing as she returns from a serious back injury.The problem ruined last year's Olympic campaign for the 2002 Commonwealth Games sprint and 500m time trial champion.