We’re continuing our theme week on Surprise Olympians. Today’s surprise Olympian is British royalty, Princess Anne!
She was a respected equestrian and in 1976 competed on the British equestrian team at the Montreal Summer Olympics. She was the first member of the British royal family to compete in the Olympic games. She competed in Eventing but suffered a concussion halfway through the course. The British team pulled out of the competition after two of their horses were injured.
In 1988, Princess Anne became a member of the International Olympic Committee. She was involved in London’s successful bid to host the 2012 Olympic Games, formally accepting the Olympic flame in Athens and bringing it back to Britain for its 8,000 mile relay tour of the country. The Princess’ daughter Zara Phillips followed in her mother’s footsteps, also competing in Eventing at the 2012 Olympics. Great Britain won silver, and Princess Anne presented the team, including her daughter, with their medals.
Anne has been called the hardest working royal. She is patron or president of over 300 organizations, and since her 18th birthday has carried out over 20,000 engagements. She’s made more than 480 official overseas visits and has been to every continent – including Antarctica! She visited Antarctica in 2002 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the establishment of Scott’s Base research station there.
Learn more here.