Welcome to Super Saturday! Elite sports events attract athletes from other sports as spectators, but only at Wimbledon are high achievers from a range of sporting disciplines invited to spend the day in the Royal Box and individually introduced to the Centre Court crowd by Sue Barker.
It’s a ritual of mutual respect, a celebration of great British sporting talent, on one of the most hallowed sporting stages in the world. We advise you to sit back, Pimm’s in hand, and drink in the spirit of the day. Here, for those unable to be here, are Sue Barker’s words as master of ceremonies:
“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Centre Court – and as is the tradition on this middle Saturday, the Chairman of the All England Club, Philip Brook, has invited guests from the world of sport to the Royal Box. This year we’re paying tribute to some of the stars from last summer’s Olympics and Paralympics in Rio, where Great Britain broke records galore.
Let’s plunge straight in with five stars from the pool: a diver who struck gold in Brazil, two swimmers who each won double gold at the Paralympics, and a breast-stroker who broke the world record to win gold – and Britain’s first medal – at the 2016 Olympics… CHRIS MEARS, STEPHANIE MILLWARD, HANNAH RUSSELL and ADAM PEATY.
Staying in the water – or rather ON it – please welcome some more British Olympic champions…Two sailors who turned London silver into Rio gold, a man who continued Britain’s great tradition in the Finn, and two canoeists who created another golden splash for Team GB… SASKIA CLARK, HANNAH MILLS, GILES SCOTT, JOE CLARKE and LIAM HEATH.
In Rowing, Rio provided another fantastic regatta for Great Britain, and we’re delighted to be joined by some of our gold-winning crew from the men’s eight and four and a woman who retained her Olympic pairs title in unbeaten style… PAUL BENNETT, SCOTT DURANT, MATT GOTREL, MATT LANGRIDGE, TOM RANSLEY, PETE REED, ANDREW TRIGGS-HODGE, PHELAN HILL, ALEX GREGORY and HELEN GLOVER.
Next, to a boxing history-maker, who won Olympic gold in both London and Rio and is now forging her career as a pro… Please welcome NICOLA ADAMS.
Now to another group whose exploits in the Olympic hockey final had the nation gripped. Their thrilling penalty shoot-out delayed the Ten O’Clock News but it didn’t matter because that evening they were the news… From the Great Britain women’s hockey team, please greet CRISTA CULLEN, HANNAH MACLEOD, GEORGIE TWIGG, HELEN RICHARDSON-WALSH and their captain, KATE RICHARDSON-WALSH
Next, some more athletes who struck gold at the Rio Paralympics… A triple gold-medallist in equestrian, two runners who sprinted to Olympic glory, and a tennis player who also happens to be a Wimbledon champion: SOPHIE CHRISTIANSEN, LIBBY CLEGG and her guide CHRIS CLARK, GEORGINA HERMITAGE and GORDON REID.
It was yet another record-breaking Games for our Olympic and Paralympic cyclists, and we’re thrilled to see many of them here at Wimbledon today. Please give a Centre Court welcome to: ELINOR BARKER, STEPHEN BATE & ADAM DUGGLEBY, JODY CUNDY, OWAIN DOULL, PHILIP HINDES and CALLUM SKINNER.
And we’re also delighted to be joined by two more cyclists who make up Britain’s most successful Olympic couple – 10 gold medals between them, and they haven’t finished yet… LAURA and JASON KENNY
And, finally, to a man who is very familiar with this famous arena. A tennis player who retained his Olympic title in Rio, and this crowd are hoping he’ll be retaining his Wimbledon title in eight days’ time. Ladies and Gentlemen, please welcome ANDY MURRAY.
All of London’s emergency services provide support for The Championships, many as volunteers. In addition, since World War Two, Armed Forces personnel, supported by members of the London Fire Brigade, have been stewarding the show courts. Many of them here today have showed their professionalism, bravery and dedication in active service in the most demanding of circumstances. We are honoured they are here with us today, please show your appreciation for our stewards and all of today’s Royal Box guests."
