HRH Princess Anne, President of the British Olympic Association (BOA), today visited Team GB’s biggest ever Preparation Camp in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. She was accompanied on the visit by Lord Coe, Chair of the BOA.
The Princess met a host of Team GB athletes including the athletics squad and Beijing 2008 silver medallist, marathon swimmer Kerri-anne Payne. The Princess also met a host of local Brazilian athletes from the Minas Tennis Clube where Team GB boxing, fencing, judo, table tennis, marathon swimming and taekwondo athletes have been preparing ahead of the Games.
The tour continued at the Federal University of Minas Gerias (UFMG) where Team GB athletics and swimming teams have been fine tuning their training before travelling to Rio de Janeiro. The Princess’ time in Belo Horizonte concluded with a visit to the San Diego Apartments where athletes have been staying and spending rest and relaxation time.
The Team GB Preparation Camp received its first athletes on 22 July and will run until 15 August. In total over 350 athletes and support staff from 14 sports will pass through Belo Horizonte in preparation for the 2016 Olympic Games. The camp has been funded by a £1.6m grant of National Lottery money from UK Sport.
Head of Pre-Games Preparations Paul Ford said “It was an honour to welcome Princess Anne to Belo Horizonte and the Team GB Prep Camp. We are hugely proud of what is the biggest and best preparation camp we have ever run, no stone has been left unturned in helping our athletes give their best performances at the Olympic Games in Rio.”
Lord Coe, Chair of the BOA said “It’s remarkable what has been achieved at our preparation camp in Belo Horizonte. The athletes have enjoyed the best possible facilities and preparation. The support we have received from the local authorities has been enormous and we owe the city and state a huge thank you for all their efforts and cooperation. I am delighted that our President, Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal was able to visit Belo Horizonte and hope everyone’s hard work will be translated into Team GB success over the coming days.”
Report courtesy of Team GB Press Office
