Her Royal Highness, the Princess Royal, last week officially opened the new offices of the British Olympic Association (BOA), the British Paralympic Association (BPA) and GB Snowsport at 101 New Cavendish Street, London.
The three organisations moved to their new home during the summer but received the royal seal of approval from the princess, who is also the BOA’s president, as well as British representative to the International Olympic Committee and an Olympian herself (Montreal 1976 – Eventing).
The Princess Royal was given a tour of the new facilities, as well as meeting with members of the three organisations. The New Cavendish Street offices, as well as being headquarters for the three organisations, serves as a base for all national governing bodies for summer and winter Olympic sports from around the UK to meet and share ideas.
The BOA and BPA had been in their previous offices at Charlotte Street since 2009 before making the short move to New Cavendish Street. GB Snowsport moved into the offices at Charlotte Street in 2010 and have been an important partner ever since.
Talking about the visit of the Princess Royal to the new offices, British Olympic Association CEO, Andy Anson, said: "It was a special occasion for the BOA and our partner organisations to welcome the Princess Royal to our new offices. It was great for the broader BOA team to get to meet the Princess and spend time with her - as an Olympian and keen sportswoman her interest in and commitment to the Olympic movement is strongly recognised by all of us and undoubtedly the visit and opening ceremony helped focus the mind towards the months ahead and the exciting challenge of preparing for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games next July."
British Paralympic Association CEO, Mike Sharrock, added: "We were honoured to have the opportunity to meet Princess Anne and showcase the work of the British Paralympic Association during the official opening of the offices we share with the British Olympic Association and GB Snowsport. The Princess Royal is clearly a passionate advocate of the inspirational power of sport and colleagues enjoyed the opportunity to meet with her.
"Moving to our wonderful new premises has only served to further strengthen the partnership working between ParalympicsGB and Team GB as we support our athletes to achieve their dreams at Tokyo 2020."
GB Snowsport CEO, Vicky Gosling, said: "On behalf of GB Snowsport I would like to thank HRH Princess Anne the Princess Royal for her inspirational visit which was a truly memorable moment and a fantastic way of celebrating the official opening of our new office. My team and I are extremely grateful to have been part of the visit to the BOA offices."
25 Years at #1: Your best source of news about the Olympics is www.aroundtherings.com, for subscribers only