Olympian Anna Meares has been awarded the Sir Hubert Opperman medal as the 2008 Australian Cyclist of the Year.

A tearful Meares was overwhelmed by the honour as the room of dignitaries and cycling champions of all generations stood to applaud her.

2008 was a tumultuous year for the Queenslander who sustained a potentially fatal fracture to her C2 vertebra or in simple terms a broken neck, in a race crash at the Los Angeles round of the World Cup in January.

But Meares, the world record holder and 2004 Olympic gold and bronze medallist fought back. 

She not only returned to racing but also secured a spot on the Beijing Olympic team where she collected an Olympic silver medal in the women's sprint.

Her performance inspired the nation.

'I couldn't tell you what this means to me, for all I care that silver medal could be gold,' Meares said.

'Falling seven months out from the Olympic Games and fracturing your C2 vertebra and pretty much all your Olympic dreams go out the window.'

'But two weeks after my crash, all l wanted to do was get back on my bike and from that stage I really believed that it was worth the effort.'

'I'm really proud of that silver.'

Meares Beijing achievement follows four years of dedication and training at the Australian Institute of Sport. She paid credit to the support received from the Institute.

‘The AIS has been outstanding in helping me achieve my Olympic dream.’ Meares said.

‘The support of our coaches, doctors and sports scientists has really been fantastic.’

The 25 year old also took out the People’s Choice Award and the women’s track cyclist of the year award.