- Anna Meares became emotional during an appearance on the Today show
- The Olympic legend felt tears well up while viewing highlight reels
- Australia’s team has experienced an extraordinary beginning to the Games
Anna Meares, Chef de Mission for the Australian Team, struggled to hold back tears while watching a highlights reel showcasing Aussie athletes winning gold at the Paris Olympics, admitting that the emotional footage was difficult for her to handle.
The Australian athletes are on the verge of creating history in Paris following a remarkable start for the national team.
During her guest appearance on the Today show, Meares expressed her immense pride in the team’s accomplishments thus far, as Australia currently ranks fourth in the medal standings. However, she revealed it was too overwhelming for her to re-watch the highlights package that was aired just before her segment.
“It’s already tough to experience this live and be around the athletes as they leave the village and return,” she told hosts Karl Stefanovic and Sarah Abo.
“The added narration and music make it even more intense. I just can’t watch it.”
Meares, who is celebrated as Australia’s finest female cyclist, shared that she first became emotional at the Games when cyclist Grace Brown surged ahead to win the country’s inaugural gold in the women’s time trial.
“I really teared up when Grace secured our first gold in cycling. That was a truly heartwarming moment,” said the six-time Olympic medallist.
“And I lost my composure while watching Jess (Fox) at the canoe slalom course.”
Anna Meares (shown) was visibly emotional during her segment on the Today show on Tuesday.
Meares expressed that she has shed tears multiple times while watching the Australians receive medals, but there’s one kind of footage from Paris that she finds unbearable.
Fox has secured two gold medals at the Games, successfully defending her Olympic title, thereby cementing her status as the most successful individual medallist in Australian Olympic history.
On Monday, Fox’s sister, Noemie, also became an Olympic champion by winning the kayak cross.
“I was in my room earlier, totally going wild, just screaming for Noemie,” admitted Meares.
“You can’t script this. That’s the beauty of it.”
Meares (shown with Queen Mary) expressed her pride in the performance of the Australian team.
Meares is leading a delegation of 460 Australian competitors from 33 different sports throughout the Olympics, and she is pleased with their performance up to this point.
‘If we have contributed even a little to these outstanding performances… that would be our gold medal,’ she stated.
Stefanovic expressed his gratitude for Meares’ dedication, calling her an ‘extraordinary person’ who has devoted her life to the Games and noted that she must be missing her daughter while in Paris.
This heartfelt praise moved Meares, who shed tears as she graciously accepted his compliments.
‘Thank you. That is very kind of you,’ she replied.
‘I’m honestly at a loss for words.’
