The Princess Royal has sent a good luck message to Team GB as the final countdown to the Tokyo Olympics gets under way.
Princess Anne, who is President of the British Olympic Association, told the team ”This is your Olympics. It will be different, but not in its importance to you. Savour it, and above all, enjoy it.”
The Princess, who will be watching from home rather than travelling to Tokyo, recorded her good luck wishes just days before the start of the Games on July 23rd 2021. And she lent on personal experience for her message, looking back to 1976 when she became the first member of the British Royal Family to take part in the Olympics.
Her message continued ”As your President, I would like to wish you every success for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. Although I am sad not to be there in person, I and the whole nation will be cheering for you and proudly supporting you from home. I do remember from my own Olympic journey the anticipation and excitement of stepping onto the Olympic stage. But also the single-minded focus on what you need to do. I know that you have all worked incredibly hard for this moment, during the most challenging of times, and I hope you will find the Team GB environment a support and an inspiration for you.”
She also looked to the future, as she concludded by saying ”Good luck, and I look forward to celebrating your achievements with you in the autumn.”
The Princess Royal has been President of the British Olympic Association and Team GB since 1983. She has also been a member of the International Olympic Committee since 1988.
The Tokyo Olympics were postponed in 2020 because of the coronavirus pandemic. They are being held this summer under tight regulations to try and prevent the spread of Covid. The Games will run from July 23rd until August 8th 2021.
