Anna Meares is calling on the Australian Olympic team to see the expected Parisian heatwave as an advantage and leverage it to full effect.
The two-time Olympic track cycling gold medallist will debut as the team chef de mission at the July-August Games.
While the heat looms as a significant factor at the Olympics, Meares wants team members to approach the conditions with the right attitude.
"I think we actually have an advantage as Australian athletes," she said.
"We’re very adept at hot weather, we know what that’s like.
"The best advice I could possibly give is put your energy and thoughts into things that you can affect change on ... energy is so critical at that high performance level of competition, you have to be very direct as to where you put it."
Meares was in Melbourne on Tuesday morning to confirm sport climbers Oceania Mackenzie and Campbell Harrison had earned Olympic selection.
They bring to five the initial members of a team that will grow to 460-480 for Paris.
Amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, security at the Games will be another significant issue for the Australian team as Meares reaffirmed her confidence in the measures being prepared by Paris organisers.
"Security is obviously a very important element for planning … and is one of the highest priorities in discussions we constantly have going forward," she said.
"How nice would it be to have some resolution to the conflicts around the world ahead of the Olympic Games, so that the focus of the Olympics and bringing people together could take forefront?"
"It’s not just the team, for even me personally, I want to come home safe to my family - that really personal element of security is very, very important."
Meares says the chef de mission role has been "eye-opening" and she has returned from an Australian team trip to Paris with 21 sports liaison officers.
"The village is complete and it looks great," Meares said, acknowledging further works were needed to comfortably accommodate Australian athletes.
"We’ve got a world leading expert in heat mitigation that we’re tapping into, to be able to provide as much advice and support for the athletes as possible."
Meares was appointed chef de mission in November 2022 and is optimistic about the success of the July-August Paris Games.
"I have not raced for eight years and I still get sweaty palms thinking about how close the Games are," she said.
"It’s one thing being an athlete in the environment, and now working as part of the team behind the scenes to create the environment for the future chances of success.
"I'm loving being involved with the sports with the athletes, the team again, I've missed that."
