'S---, I got so far through': Anna Meares tears up in emotional tribute to Australia's most successful Olympic team
Chef de mission Anna Meares was unable to hold back the tears while paying tribute to Australia's most successful team in Olympic history.
In her final press conference of Paris 2024, the two-time gold medallist read out a lengthy statement thanking everyone, from the athletes and their families to local organisers, sponsors, media and the three baristas the AOC flew to France to meet the team's caffeine cravings.
Meares couldn't quite make it through her praise with dry eyes, getting visibly emotional when talking about her pride in the team that won more gold medals than any other Australian contingent.
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Anna Meares has been unable to hold back the tears while paying tribute to Australia's most successful team in Olympic history. Luke Hales/Getty Images
"I have tried to think of the words to describe how I feel about this team. I am so proud, proud for them, proud of them, proud to be here with them," she said as she teared up.
"Shit, I got so far through (without crying)," she laughed immediately afterwards.
The tally of 18 golds so far is better than any other Australian team has managed, and Meares revealed it cost $25 million to provide athletes with their high-performance environment in Paris.
Reflecting on the success, Meares once again teared up when recalling her words to the athletes when they entered the Olympic village.
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"I said to our teams as they were welcomed into the village, the pages of the chapter that is Paris 2024 were blank," she said.
"They were there for them to leave their mark from a personal and a performance perspective.
"Those pages are almost complete. The mark that this team will leave on those pages will show that they are the most successful Australian Olympic team ever.
"Congratulations. Job well done. Bonne journee. Au revoir. Merci beaucoup."
