As the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic Games have ended and the Winter Paralympics are set to begin Friday, 4 March, The Princess Royal is sending a message of congratulations to the British Olympians.
Writing in a statement, The Princess wrote: “As President of the British Olympic Association, I want to send you all my congratulations on your performance at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics. Every single Olympic Winter Games is unique and special for its own reasons, and this Games is no different.
“These Olympic Winter Games have been challenging and unprecedented for you, your coaches, families and support teams in so many ways. We are still in the midst of a global pandemic that has made travel, preparation and competition difficult. With this in mind, you should be proud of your collective performances in Beijing.
“I would particularly like to mention the curling teams who have captured the imagination of the country. Many congratulations on your medal success. Whether it is your first Olympic Winter Games, or your last, cherish the memories and friendships you have made and thank you for your contribution to Team GB. You have made the country proud.”
The Princess has had a long association with the Olympics. At the 1976 Montreal Summer Olympics, riding The Queen’s Horse, Anne competed in the equestrian three-day event, having made her the first member of the Royal Family to compete in the games. Anne received a concussion halfway through her eventing course but remounted and finished the event. She said she can’t remember making the rest of the jumps. The British team had to pull out of the competition after two horses were injured.
Twelve years later in 1988, The Princess was appointed a Member of the International Olympic Committee. In addition, she has been an IF representative at the Eligibility Commission from 1990 and 1994 and a Chair of the Nominated Committee from 2014 to 2015. Since 2015, Anne has served on the IOC Members Election Committee.
Anne is not the only Olympian in the British Royal Family; her daughter, Zara Tindall, competed on the British Equestrian team for the 2012 London Olympic Games. Competing on High Kingdom, Zara won a silver medal in the team event, which her mother presented.
While The Princess Royal is known to attend the games as a Member of the IOC and to support Team GB as President of the British Olympic Association, Anne did not attend the 2022 Winter Games due to the ongoing global health crisis.
