Anna Meares retires: From near career-ending injuries to winning Olympics gold against all odds

RECOVERING from a broken neck to compete in Beijing to winning gold against all the odds at London 2012; Reece Homfray looks at the top five moments from Anna Meares’ career.

Anna Meares is the greatest female track cyclist in history. Pics Adam Head

ANNA Meares, the greatest female track cyclist in history, has announced her retirement from the sport, bowing out with six Olympic medals.

Reece Homfray looks back at five of her greatest moments.

1. 2012 OLYMPIC GOLD

The defining win of Meares’ career and the moment most cycling fans will remember her for. Against a vocal British crowd and against her arch rival Victoria Pendleton in the final of the women’s sprint, Meares triumphed against all the odds and became a two-time Olympic champion.

2. 2008 OLYMPIC SILVER.

Meares’ career could have been over after a crash in Los Angeles in January left her with a broken neck. But refusing to give up, she fought back and not only made it to the Beijing Olympics eight months later but won a silver medal in the women’s sprint.

3. WORLD TITLE NO. 11.

Meares officially became the most successful female track cyclist in history in February, 2015, when she won gold in the women’s keirin final at the world championships in Paris. It was her 11th world title which saw her pass the record previously held by Frenchwoman Felicia Ballanger.

Anna Meares wins the Women's Sprint final race during the London 2012 Olympic Games

4. 2004 OLYMPIC GOLD.

Announced herself on the world stage by winning her first Olympic gold medal in the 500m TT in Athens at just 20 years old. Meares went on to own the 500m TT event for most of her career, breaking the world record in 2013 when she became the first women to break the 33-second barrier.

5. 2016 RIO OLYMPICS.

Such a fitting farewell to a champion. Meares carried the Australian flag at the opening ceremony — as she did in Glasgow two years earlier — and went on to win a bronze medal in the keirin final. It was Australian cycling’s only individual medal of the Games and the sixth Olympic medal of Meares’ career. Meares overcame a serious back injury just to make it to her fourth and final Olympics.

Anna Meares was named Australia’s flag-bearer for the Rio Olympics 2016

Originally published as Anna Meares retires: From near career-ending injuries to winning Olympics gold against all odds