Anna Meares Shines as Australia’s Chef de Mission for the Paris 2024 Olympics

Australian Chef de Mission and legendary cyclist Anna Meares truly excelled in her role as team leader for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, making everyone at ICMI incredibly proud. Anna made the position her own, showcasing strong leadership qualities, handling sensitive issues with grace and decorum, and demonstrating the immense power of empathy in guiding the team.

Her success in Paris builds on a remarkable history of leadership, including her roles as team captain and flag bearer for Australia at the Rio 2016 Olympics, and as general manager for Australia at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. Anna’s ability to lead with both strength and compassion has solidified her legacy as an extraordinary leader in Australian sport.

What was Anna’s Role as the Chef de Mission?

As Chef de Mission, Anna helped nurture the ambition, skill and passion of athletes in the lead up to the Games as they prepared to represent their country and strive for Olympic success. Her job was all about creating the right environment for our Olympic athletes, both before and during the event.

Anna worked hard every day to help get the best out of them, while making their experience as an Olympian joyful and helping everyone in Australia learn about their story and connect with them through our shared love of sport.

Overcoming Unique Challenges in a Dynamic Environment

Anna Meares, as Chef de Mission, brings a unique blend of leadership and empathy to one of the most demanding roles in sports. While many of us see the public side of her work—handling tough questions at packed media conferences and managing scrutiny around athletes and logistics—Anna’s impact goes much deeper. She’s the one behind the scenes, ensuring that every detail, from accommodation and logistics to athlete health and security, is taken care of with precision and care. 

What truly sets Anna apart is her personal touch. She was there for our Aussie athletes every step of the way, offering support and managing difficult situations with a compassionate approach that made all the difference. Her ability to navigate tough conversations and create a positive environment helped set our athletes up for success, leading to a record-breaking performance at the Olympics, with Australia taking home 18 gold medals—the most ever. Anna’s leadership wasn’t just about managing a team; it was about being there for the team, and it showed in every success.

A Natural Leader

Widely considered Australia’s best cyclist, Anna’s 15 year career saw her collect a total of 18 gold, 16 silver and 10 bronze medals at Olympic, World and Commonwealth Games. Becoming the Chef de Mission quickly became a goal for Anna after hanging up the wheels after Rio.

It’s no surprise that she’s been successful given the obvious traits that make her a natural for the role. This includes focus and determination, built from her Olympic career. It also includes courage and resilience, having recovered from a crash that nearly left her wheelchair-bound for life to competing months later at the Beijing Olympics.

In terms of what the future holds for Anna after her successful stint at Paris 2024, she has indicated that she’d love to stay on in the role as a Chef de Mission for upcoming Olympic Games in LA and Brisbane. Interested in hearing from Anna herself now that the Games have wrapped up? Talk to the ICMI team about booking her as a speaker for your event.

To learn more about booking Anna Meares for your event, call us now on 1800 334 625 or make an enquiry online.