Crown Prince Frederik paid tribute to Denmark’s Olympians at a reception on Monday, saying: “We have roared, cried, smiled and fought with you” to the gathered athletes.
The Crown Prince, who has been acting as regent while Queen Margrethe is out of the country, attended the Olympian reception at the Experimentarium in Hellerup alongside the Prime Minister and the Minister of Culture.
The Danish Royal House shared photos of the reception on their social media accounts, including one of the Crown Prince talking with Anne-Marie Rindom, a Danish sailor who won gold during the 2020 Summer Games.
In a speech at the reception, Crown Prince Frederik said, in part, “We have followed you closely from home – we have roared, cried, smiled and fought with you.”
Crown Prince Frederik had earlier shared a message of support for Denmark’s Olympians on Sunday, ahead of the closing ceremonies. He wrote: “[Seventeen] terrific, dramatic and entertaining Olympic days in Japan are now over. In a little while, the last Danish athletes will return home, and even though it has been a different Olympics, it has been a great Olympics for Denmark.
“Thank you to all 111 Danish athletes who have fought bravely and made us proud. You have each represented our country in the most distinguished way.
“Many of us will meet tomorrow at the Experimentarium in Copenhagen, where I look forward to paying tribute to you and celebrating the beautiful medal harvest, which consists of three gold medals, four medals of silver and four of bronze.”
According to the Olympics statistics, Denmark’s 11 medals make this the country’s most successful Summer Games since the 1996 Games in Atlanta, Georgia.
The Danish Olympic Team also consists of athletes from Greenland and the Faroe Islands, as neither country has their own national Olympic Committee. Jóhan Hansen became the first Faroese man to win an Olympic medal when he won in handball.
Crown Prince Frederik has a long history with the Olympic Games, having served as a member of the International Olympic Committee for years. He had been due to attend the Games in Tokyo; however, he came into close contact with someone who tested positive for the coronavirus shortly before he was due to leave and was instead required to isolate at home.
Crown Prince Frederik announced his intention to step down from the IOC prior to the Olympics beginning in July. He wrote at the time, “I can say wholeheartedly that it has been a privilege and an honour to serve under the Olympic flag.”
