Anna Meares retires from professional cycling, plans to stay in Adelaide

ADELAIDE’S two-time Olympic gold medallist Anna Meares has retired from cycling — but the legend isn’t about to slow down. Here’s what she plans to do next.

• Why Meares had to quit cycling
• Meares retires from professional cycling
• Her incredible top five moments

AUSTRALIAN cycling great Anna Meares plans to stay in Adelaide to begin life after the sport which will include charity work, public speaking and ambassador roles.

The two-time Olympic gold medallist who on Sunday announced her retirement from elite cycling also joked that she’s looking for “work experience” as she plots a new career path.

“Adelaide is my home, I love living there, I love the lifestyle and how welcome I’ve been in the 15 years I’ve called it home and represented the state,” she said.

SA Olympic cycling gold-medal winner Anna Meares has announced her retirement from the sport. Pic: Britta Campion

“I don’t know where life and the world will take me but for the moment I’m staying in Adelaide.”

Her immediate to-do list includes a charity bike ride with the Steve Waugh Foundation as well as sponsor engagements across the country.

Meares was tempted to ride on to the Gold Coast Games but a serious back injury which hampered her in the lead-up to the Rio Olympics in August meant she was physically and mentally ready to retire.

Australian flag bearer Anna Meares at the official flag-raising ceremony in the Athlete’s Village at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Meares wins gold in 2012 at the London Olympics in the women’s sprint track cycling. Pic: Bryn Lennon/Getty Images

Instead, she will be the face of the Motor Accident Commission of SA’s new road cycling safety campaign and work closely with the Tour Down Under next year.

“I’ll again be involved with the Tour Down Under as an ambassador and get more involved with the Little Heroes Foundation which I really love being a part of — and maybe go on a holiday,” Meares said.

“There are lots of little things and that’s what I want at the moment so I can be busy if I want to and there are some really amazing opportunities that are coming up.

“I would like to be able to spend that time working out what I want to do.

“I want to be careful that I pick something that I’m passionate about, maybe some opportunities in the media I love the radio but also with Channel Nine possibly going forward.

“So I guess I’m looking for work experience.”

Meares said she was overwhelmed with the response to her retirement announcement, which even included a message from Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull on social media.

“It’s so lovely that people feel to reach out in that capacity,” she said.

“It’s been quite overwhelming and probably made it a little more emotional than I thought it was going to be, which is silly because I am an emotional creature.

“The response has been truly overwhelming and very kind.”

Originally published as Anna Meares retires from professional cycling, plans to stay in Adelaide