Rio Olympic Women: Cyclist Anna Meares rides into history

IT’S hard to go past Australian track sensation Anna Meares for our Play of the Day, so we’re not.

Anna Meares ahead of her Keirin race in Rio.

IT’S hard to go past Anna Meares for the Swoop Play of the Day, so we’re not.

When she crossed the line to win bronze in the Keirin she didn’t just win something to put round her neck.

She became Australia’s most decorated cyclists in Olympic history.

It was Meares’ sixth medal at this level of competition, including two gold, one silver and three bronze netted from her four Olympic campaigns which commenced in Athens in 2004.

A simply outstanding feat.

Rebecca James of Great Britain, Anna Meares of Australia and Wai Sze Lee of Hong Kong lead during the race.

She also becomes the first Australian athlete in history to claim four individual medals at four Olympic Games and is also now the only female track cyclist to have won Olympic medals in all four sprint events — Keirin, sprint, team sprint and the 500m time trial (discontinued).

“My coach (Gary West) asked me earlier what were my goals for this meet and that’s two of the boxes checked right there: place better than I did in London in kierin and win a medal,” said Meares.

“Have records ever driven me? No, just achieving, checking boxes, setting a goal, and trying to go after it and better myself every time.

“And believe me it’s really been hard and so challenging. Even in my own country I’ve had people come up and challenge me for positions in the team and I’ve had to work hard and earn my position and I’m proud that I’ve done that and I’m proud that I’ve come here again and delivered.”

The Australian flag bearer joins Matildas star Lisa De Vanna,Opals captain Penny Taylor and equestrians Sue Hearn and Mary Hanna in winning Swoop Play of the Day