Australian trackie Meares tells her story

If you've come within two milimetres of possibly dying and won an Olympic silver medal in the same year, chances are there's a story or two to tell. This is the case for Australian track sprinter and multiple world and Olympic champion Anna Meares, who released her book this week, documenting her rise to promience, the agony of her fall and the near-miracle of her achievement at the Beijing Olympics.

The Anna Meares Story: When courage triumphs over disaster details Meares' upbringing in Rockhampton, northern Queensland, her rise to prominence and the precipice she walked along early in 2008 after her devastating fall in the Los Angeles World Cup; plus of course the road to Beijing and the crowning moment of her comeback, a silver medal in the women's sprint.

It's an honest and heart-felt account of an extremely difficult time in the life of a champion and illustrates what it takes to overcome a massive hurdle - strength, support and a will to succeed. It's what has made her popular with Australian fans of all sporting persuasions, some of who she met during a recent book signing in her home town of Rockhampton (pictured, right). Meares is promoting her new read along the east coast of Australia in a whirlwind book tour and took time to meet young and old fans, her tales of courage a lesson for those of all ages.

The Anna Meares Story: When courage triumphs over disaster is available in bookshops or online at www.newholland.com.au or www.youngreed.com.au.

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