Sprinter Anna Meares uses Facebook to hit out at critics of Australian track cycling team

AUSTRALIAN cycling legend Anna Meares has launched a passionate defence of her sport in response to “inappropriate’’ social media posts.

AUSTRALIAN cycling legend Anna Meares has launched a passionate Facebook defence of her sport in response to what she describes as “inappropriate’’ social media posts and reports about the Australian track cycling team, its high performance unit and coaches.

In an extraordinary and lengthy post Meares has took to Facebook this morning to staunchly defend the Cycling Australian track program and its coaches, including the man who has guided her to numerous world titles and Olympic medals, Gary West.

And the London Olympic gold medallist has urged fellow cyclists vying for Rio Olympic selection to do so “with respect, class and style.’

Meares’ spirited defence of the sport she has been a major player in for more than two decades and coach West has come just 137 days out from the Rio Olympics and where track cycling is expected to be a major hit for the Australian team.

“I am very grateful to be coached by him and to witness first hand the fair nature in which he delivers in his role,’’ Meares wrote while not mentioning West by name.

“He has great passion for and coaching expertise in the sport. He is passionate about us being the best for the country which we represent.

“He encourages meetings between the athletes to determine what it means to us to be Australian, what it means to us to wear the green and gold, what it means to us to act as responsible, respectful Australians when the rest of the world looks at us.

“His knowledge is second to none and he has a huge desire to see success for EVERY athlete. I believe in and fully support the CA HPU programme and in its coaches.’’

Meares, who has received enormous support for the post on her official Facebook page, has not specified which media reports upset her or mentioned specific details about social media attacks.

Australian cyclist Anna Meares has hit out at people criticising the team’s processes.

However it is understood there has been some unrest in some cycling circles about Shane Perkins and Mitch Bullen being cut adrift from the national program last year.

In her post Meares hit out at critics, saying it was “NOT OK to target people, to rubbish the programme and sling mud on a personal or professional level at anyone.’’

“There must be respect across all parties despite the sensitive and desperate situations we can all find ourselves in, because what’s on the line is the most privileged position an Australian athlete can be given — wearing the green and gold at the Olympics,’’ Meares wrote.

“Unfortunately coaches will be targeted when some athletes don’t make the team and this is disappointing behaviour.

“The high Performance CA HPU sprint coach, has always been clear, fair, honest and open in communication to his athletes about their positions, their performances and their opportunities. Perhaps it is this demeanour and coaching style that some people dislike, however there is no better or other way to be.

Australia's Anna Meares (right) races Australia's Stephanie Morton in the sprint at the recent world championships in London.

“It’s our coaches and in this case the CA HPU Sprint coach who has been trusted in this position for Rio as he was for London.

“It is also this coach who has been facing unsubstantiated attacks and I personally cannot stand any longer to witness and hear such terrible treatment of a great coach, a great person, a great coaching programme and a great team which I am VERY privileged to be a part of.

“There is always more depth to the stories you hear and more work behind the scenes from all involved that no ones sees or reports on.

“Coaches and staff who are never seen nor would you hear about working very hard beyond the required scope of their job requirements because they love what they do and the great people and athletes they get to work with.

Anna Meares with Gary West after winning gold at the London Olympics.

“The CA HPU Sprint coach’s results speak for themselves. Of the 11 world titles I have earned, 9 were won under his guidance as well as 4/5 Commonwealth Games Titles, and 2/5 of my Olympic medals (most famous of them all Sprint Gold in London 2012 against Victoria Pendleton).’’

Meares states in the post she has the “utmost respect” for the knowledge of the Cycling Australia High Performance coaching program, the CA HPU management and the board of selectors while urging athletes chasing selection in Rio to do it with “respect, class and style”.

“From me, personally, I wish the very best to everyone vying for a position in the Australian Track Cycling National and Olympic team, let’s all do it with respect, class and style that reflects the position we are trying to fill,’’ she wrote before signing off, “Representing Track Cycling for Australia.’’

Originally published as Sprinter Anna Meares uses Facebook to hit out at critics of Australian track cycling team