There was barely a dry eye in the house once Anna Meares had finished delivering her “phenomenal” speech to Australia’s Olympic athletes in Brazil on Wednesday.

Meares, a two-time Olympic gold medallist, will lead Australia as flag-bearer in the opening ceremony on Saturday morning (AEST) before turning her attention to her cycling events.

But she took the chance to rev up her fellow athletes before things officially get underway in a speech that left her teammates inspired and ready to go for gold.

“It was phenomenal,” boxer Shelley Watts told AAP.

“You know it hits home when it’s said by someone like Anna and she just speaks from the heart.”

Watts also confirmed that she and canoeing star Jess Fox were in tears during the speech.

Boxer Shelley Watts was inspired. Photo: Getty

Shane Rose, competing in equestrian (eventing) in Rio, added: “It was pretty hard to hold back the tears.

“Anna typifies what makes Australians Australians.

“Her driving force, the passion to be Australian and to be as good as we can be, I think she certainly said everything in her speech that makes you want to go out there and perform at your best.”

Beach volleyballer Louise Bawden said: “Anna is a great role model, she is an inspiration and she’s a true champion.

“We were really honoured to be able to hear her speak today.”

So what exactly did Meares say?

Thanks to the Australian Olympic Committee, here are snippets of her motivational speech, which she opened by urging everyone in the room to “make this Olympics great”.

Meares had the room captivated. Photo: Getty

“What lies ahead for us no one knows, it’s unwritten history,” Meares said.

“But what lies ahead of our rivals and competitors is known. A team of men and women brimming with Aussie spirit, a spirit that many in the world envy.

“We’re a nation proud of our heritage.

“From our indigenous Australians to those who have immigrated and sought refuge, to those born and raised on Aussie soil. We are all proud to call ourselves Australian.

“I’ve been asked so many times why I’m still here, why I still ride, why I still compete.

“The simple answer is, I love the feeling I get on the rare few days once every four years to wear the green and gold.

“My name is Anna Meares, but it’s not my name that makes my rivals take notice.

“It is the strength and pride I gain in spirit when I put on my green and gold racing gear.

Meares (front) and her teammates during a training session. Photo: Getty

“I have lost more races then I have won.

“I stand before you still striving for more success and still dreaming the same dream I had as a young girl in country Queensland.

“I could have retired after London, gone out a winner, gone out on top of my sport.

“But Rio offered a chance for me to not just be great, but to be greater again.

“You’re about to represent yourself, your family, friends, team, sport and country.

“It sounds like a lot. But the reason we are held in such high esteem as sportsmen and sportswomen is because we carry that Aussie spirit, that never-give-in attitude and that ‘let’s have a real crack’ mindset.

“No one can find fault or disappointment in anyone who strives to be better in themselves and challenge themselves to do great things.

Who could forget this Olympic moment? Photo: Getty

“In its simplest terms it starts with bringing that competitive Aussie out in all of us and digging deep like Cathy Freeman, Kieren Perkins, Herb Elliott, ‘Thorpey’ and a great friend of mine, Marjorie Nelson Jackson, did in years gone by.

“So to all in this team, in my team, in our team, let’s make this Olympics great.

“Continue to be you, that’s what has got you here.

“Continue to fight and battle and no matter the outcome I, like your family, friends, team and country, will be proud of you.”