Queen sends ‘warmest congratulations’ to Team GB’s Olympic competitors
The Queen has praised the “skill, determination and hard work” of the nation’s Olympic competitors after Team GB put in one of its best performances.
Team GBs 65-medal haul in Japan matched the number earned during the Olympics in London in 2012, and is only two short of the record Rio total in 2016.
There were 22 gold medals won – the fourth-best performance by a British team.
376 selected athletes, 28 sports, 65 medals…
One 𝙞𝙣𝙘𝙧𝙚𝙙𝙞𝙗𝙡𝙚 team 🇬🇧#TeamGB pic.twitter.com/rWSl2ViZmw
— Team GB (@TeamGB) August 8, 2021
In her message the Queen said: “I send my warmest congratulations to the competitors from Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and across the Commonwealth, following their success at the Olympic Games in Tokyo in recent weeks.
“The skill, determination and hard work shown by the athletes and their support teams throughout the unique and challenging circumstances of the last year has been an inspiration to us all.
“I extend my very best wishes to everyone who has played a part in this extraordinary achievement.”
Sunday’s closing ceremony in Tokyo featured the handover to Paris, which will host the Olympics in 2024.
Congratulations to the #TeamGB athletes on your incredible #Tokyo2020 performance! You did brilliantly.
Wishing the best of luck to those preparing for the #Paralympics. @ParalympicsGB
— The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall (@ClarenceHouse) August 8, 2021
In anticipation, people were gathered in front of the Eiffel Tower on Sunday while President Emmanuel Macron was filmed on top of the monument.
The official twitter account of the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall also paid tribute to Team GB.
The post on the heir to the throne and his wife’s social media account said “You did brilliantly” and it also looked ahead to the Paralympics, wishing competitors the “best of luck”.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s twitter account also posted congratulations to the team, saying: “…you’ve all shown such strength, passion and determination in challenging circumstances and have done the nation incredibly proud!”