King Charles has sent a message to all of the Olympians who competed for Team Great Britain and for the teams across the Commonwealth as the 2024 Summer Olympics come to a close.
In a message shared by Buckingham Palace, the King wrote ”“My wife joins me in sending our warmest congratulations to the competitors and their support teams from Team GB and across the whole Commonwealth, for their many outstanding successes at the Olympic Games in Paris.
“Your achievements, across so many disciplines, were forged from that invaluable combination of raw talent, true grit and hard toil over many years, burnished these past weeks by sportsmanship and team spirit in the finest tradition of the Games.
“To those who missed out on the greatest prizes, you have most certainly not fallen short in the pride that you, too, have generated for your nations.
“As we thank France for hosting such a wonderful tournament and look to the Paralympics ahead, I can only say that you have all been an inspiration.
It was signed “Charles R.”
Team Great Britain received 65 medals over the two weeks of competition: 14 gold, 22 silver and 29 bronze. Of the Commonwealth realms, there were 108 medals won (Team Australia won 53 medals, Team Canada won 27, Team New Zealand won 20, Team Jamaica won 6 and Team Saint Lucia won 2).
Over the two weeks of competition, the Princess Royal and the Duchess of Edinburgh attended various events in Paris. Princess Anne and her husband, Sir Timothy Laurence, attended Rugby Sevens, Swimming, Equestrian, Rowing, Sailing and Windsurfing events; with Princess Anne presenting a medal in Equestrian.
Princess Anne is President of the British Olympic Association and a member of the International Olympic Committee.
The Duchess of Edinburgh, meanwhile, attended hockey and cycling competitions in her role as Patron of British Cycling and British Cycling in the second week of the Olympic Games.
On the Royal Family’s social media accounts, Sophie wrote: “As Patron of @GBHockey and @BritishCycling, it has been a wonderful few days in Paris watching so many inspiring sporting moments at the Olympics. “Congratulations to everyone at @TeamGB. It was a thrill to see you compete – you have done us so proud. – Sophie”
The next Olympic Games will be held in Milano and Cortina, Italy, in the winter of 2026. The next summer games take place in Los Angeles in 2028. And the 2024 Summer Paralympics begin in just a few days’ time.
