I may not know much about track cycling, but it’s hard not to take notice and get excited when Anna Meares takes the track. Early this morning, Anna once again delivered by winning Gold in the Women’s Sprint.
Anna Meares went into this event as a definite favorite, but with Guo Shaung (China) and Great Britain’s own Victoria Pendleton wanting so hard to taste Olympic Gold, we knew there was going to be a battle out there on the track.
As the preliminaries went on, Anna was looking good and it seemed imminent that we would see her in the final, but who would she face? To make things even more dramatic, it was Great Britain’s Victoria Pendleton who would face off for the Gold with her home country right there behind her.
Four years ago in Beijing, Meares lost to Pendleton in the semifinals but it wouldn’t happen again this time around. Pendleton was forced to lead and could not gather the speed. Meares stormed home overtaking the Brit with a commanding performance.
Meares dug deep winning the Olympic Gold for Australia with a commanding 2-0 victory at the London Velodrome.
Pendleton took the Silver and plans to retire once the games conclude. Guo Shuang of China won the Bronze with a 2-0 win over Kristina Vogel of Germany.
Anna Meares adds Gold to the Bronze she won as part of the Women’s Team Sprint and will be proudly bringing both medals home soon to Australia.
John Robson
Guest
Darryl, you're right you don't know much about track cycling, Victoria was overwhelming favorite leading in to the sprint and even more so after the seeding round,otherwise good effort mate i agree with rest of article.Sorry to bust your balls mate! Anna overcame what a champion!!
zacbrygel
Roar Guru
Great article Darryl. Even though it was over a week ago I am still revelling in the victory; well done Amazing Anna!
Darryl Kotyk
Roar Pro
Anna's win was great all in it's own, but considering the dominance by GB this year it is even more incredible. Spread the word....let's celebrate.
Heidi
Guest
Love love Anna, What a great show down! As much as we know how strong Anna is, but with the way GB cycling go this year, they seems so unbeatable, but our great Anna beat it. I couldn't help but watched the replay again and again 5 times. Our very first cycling gold, I have to send my excitement everywhere that I can think of: face book,any cycling websites that I can add comment with, Anna's twitter .....
JVGO
Guest
Meares is years older and more experienced than the swimmers. I'd hope Magnussen has a word with Sally and Anna about how to keep focused in the long term and turn silver into gold.
JVGO
Guest
Thank god. We now have Kazakstan in sight on the medal table. Go team.
gah
Guest
Agree about Meares' focus and determination. The swimmers could learn alot from Meares and Sally Pearson. Both had enormous expectations but where not bragging or crapping on on twitter. Perhaps the team environment was just plain wrong for the swimmers at these games.
Darryl Kotyk
Roar Pro
Yeah, I'm sure staying off social media is a great way to stay focused. Looks like it helped.
Moses
Roar Rookie
Meares also said after the race that she had been on a total media/social media ban. Perhaps the swimming team could learn from that too.
B.A Sports
Guest
In the future they will replay the post race interview of Anna after she lost in the Kieren and the replays of the post race interviews of our swimmers and they will ask up and coming athletes - "Who do you think overcomes their disapointment to win gold? Sure they all want to win, but to me this was never in doubt. Mears has focius and resolve. She has the fierce determination that pushes her that 100th of a second faster. An awesome athlete and competitor and a winner.
Darryl Kotyk
Roar Pro
Yes, this one is very deserving. I kind of figured Anna would win it, but you never know what can happen at the Olympics.
hardsy
Roar Pro
Was a fantastic ride by Meares and a great comeback after he disappointing Kieran results. A well earned gold medal for her years of hard work and commitment.