Meares’ Games moments need no gold to glitter

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Meares’ Games moments need no gold to glitter

In a Games that’s never glittered in as much *********** gold, chef de mission Anna Meares looked elsewhere for her stand-out moments.

The former track cyclist addressed media on Saturday’s penultimate day of the Paris Olympics and issued a gentle reminder that success was not always measured in medals.

The Rockhampton product hailed Harry Garside’s vulnerability and Matt Glaetzer’s try, try, try and try again track cycling career as examples that hit home.

Boxer Garside won bronze in Tokyo three years ago, Australia’s first medal in the sport for 33 years.

He wanted gold though and pushed back a professional career to go around again in France, only to fall in his first ****** and no sooner profess that he felt “like a ********”.

Garside maintained an open dialogue with his social media followers in the days that followed and Meares labelled it “powerful and profound”.

“I caught up with him a couple of days after his bout,” she said.

“I said, ‘I think you have done more for the stereotype of men, mental health and being honest, and being your own friend, than you could ever have done if you’d won’.

“His vulnerability, his honesty, and his articulation in how he felt in the moment and then how his thoughts changed with a little bit of time and reflection, and then what he could actually do in educating people through that process – it was so powerful and so profound.

“It’s something he should be incredibly proud of.”

Glaetzer has overcome thyroid ******* and a badly-blown calf muscle to snap a run of four fourth-places in his fourth Games, claiming bronze in the team sprint.

He’ll also race in the keirin later on Saturday.

“All cycling biases aside, to be the most fourth-placed athlete, at his fourth Games, to finally come away with a bronze medal,” Meares mused.

“To see that joy, as if it were gold, was really special.

“There have been so many example of athletes picking each other up, throwing their arms around each other, and cheering them on.

“It’s been beautiful to watch, but they’re probably the top two.”

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