Anna Meares to lead Australia at LA 2028

Squash Australia has welcomed the decision of the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) who announced today that Anna Meares will lead the Australian Olympic Team as Chef de Mission at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

Squash will make its debut in the Olympic program in Los Angeles, with today’s appointment coming just days after Squash Australia launched its 2028 campaign in the 2032 Olympic city of Brisbane.

Squash Australia CEO Robert Donaghue commended the AOC on the announcement.

“I think anyone who followed the Olympics and the Australian Olympic Team through the Paris campaign saw what a professional and calming influence Anna Meares had,” said Donaghue. “She can empathise with what the athletes are going through and has the respect of everyone across the Australian sporting landscape.

“Importantly, Anna’s presence wasn’t just visible in Paris, but in the cycle leading up to it and for our athletes looking to make their mark in LA, Anna’s leadership will be crucial.

“She was definitely a Chef de Mission for the entire team whether the athletes were from small or large sports, whether they were medal-winners or not, and that is the sign of a great leader.”

AOC President Ian Chesterman says the AOC Executive moved quickly to reappoint Ms Meares’ after her outstanding work leading the Australian Team to Paris 2024.

“Anna showed great leadership heading up to the Games and then during the Games and the feedback from the athletes, our sports and all the support staff has been overwhelmingly positive about the way she operated and related to them,” Mr Chesterman said.

“The Australian Team, which totaled 467 athletes, was united and performed brilliantly both on and off the field of play, and Anna was pivotal to the wonderful outcomes achieved in Paris.”

Australia recorded its best-ever Games performance with 18 gold, 19 silver and 16 bronze medals, finishing fourth on the medal table.

“Anna’s leadership is authentic leadership and is underpinned by her absolute commitment to the athletes first and foremost,” Mr Chesterman said. “That commitment was unwavering and inspired.

“This was reflected in her contribution to the detailed planning undertaken ahead of the Games as well as successfully negotiating a path through the Games-time environment.

“She built a great team around her and empowered people to bring their passion and expertise to what was a hugely successful campaign. It is a tough job but she did it brilliantly.

“I am delighted that Anna had no hesitation in saying ‘yes’ to taking on the opportunities and challenges presented by Los Angeles in four years’ time.”

Ms Meares says she has had time to reflect on the Paris experience and was thrilled to be offered the opportunity to lead the Australian Team again. 

“I knew that if the offer was made, my answer would be yes. Working with the athletes, the sports and with the AOC team behind the scenes was an extraordinary experience for me.

“It was important for every athlete to know that they were supported and central to our Team. Not every athlete can achieve the outcome they train so hard to achieve, but they and their support network are so critical to the overall Team and environment.

“Since the Games I have enjoyed a wonderful break with my family but importantly have also been involved in taking the lessons from Paris into our planning for Los Angeles. LA 2028 will be a very different challenge again.

“A spread-out Games, new sports on the program, the prospect of a bigger Team – all of this makes me excited about Los Angeles and knuckling down with the AOC team to get that preparation moving,” Ms Meares said. 

The LA Olympic Games will take place between July 14 to 30. Squash, along with Cricket, Lacrosse, Flag Football, Baseball and Softball, have been added to the program with Australia expected to have more than 500 athletes on its Olympic Team.