Anna Meares has never been one to hide her emotions.
Even now, with one year to go before the 2024 Paris Olympics, Meares is beaming as she video calls from her hotel room in the French capital.
“Watching someone you care for perform is vastly different to performing as an athlete yourself,’’ Meares said.
“You feel like you’ve got no control and you have this urgent sense of hope for them.’’
“If I come home with any colour in my hair, I’ll be happy.’’
This is what makes Meares’ appointment as the Chef De Mission for the Australian team in Paris so compelling.
When Ariarne Titmus steps up onto the blocks, Peter Bohl waits for the starter’s gun or Jess Fox crashes through the whitewater, one of Australia’s greatest-ever Olympians will be by their side.
Has an Australian Olympic team ever had a more influential figure in their corner?
Meares is the most decorated and successful Chef De Mission in more than 20-years.
In Paris, Meares the four-time Olympic champion plans to act as a coach, mentor and confidant for every athlete on the Australian team.
“It’s an area that I feel really excited about,’’ Meares said.
“And it’s already an area that’s being tapped into by the athletes and the coaches and the high performance teams of sports that I’ve spent some time with.
“I feel really respected in the space and I feel like there’s a lot that they want to ask me to learn from.
“How did you cope as a mature age athlete? One athlete asked what was my worst loss and how did you deal with it?
“I’m plain honest. I’ve been where they are. I get it.
“I’ve lost more than I’ve won in my life. I do really enjoy the chance to talk to the athletes because I think it makes them realise that I am on the same page.
“I’ve been the deer in the headlights. I’ve been the matriarch. I’ve been the rookie. I’ve been the flag bearer and I have been on my knees and I’ve been up on cloud nine.
“That’s what I hope I can pass onto our athletes.’’
Having toured every venue ahead of the games, Meares said the Paris Olympics promises to be the most visually spectacular Games on record.
“It will be incredible, I’ve got no doubt it will be,’’ Meares said.
Beach Volleyball is set to be staged under the Eiffel Tower, BMX Freestyle and Skateboarding will be held adjacent to the Champs-Élyséess, Equestrian will be staged at the Château de Versailles, while surfing will be held at Teahupoʻo, an island in French Polynesia and famed for having one of the most spectacular waves in surfing.
