Anita Neil facts for kids
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| Born | 5 April 1950 Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, England |
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| Sport | Sprinting | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Event(s) | 100 metres | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Medal record
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Doris Anita Neil (born 5 April 1950) is a British former sprinter. A sprinter is a runner who specializes in short, fast races. In 1968, she made history. She became the first black British woman to compete in the Olympic Games. Anita faced challenges like needing help to travel to races. She also needed support to get sports gear. Because of limited training help and needing to support her family, she stopped competing early. She was only 23 years old.
Contents
Early Life and Beginnings
Anita Neil was born in Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, England. Her father was African-American. He was a soldier with the United States Army. He was stationed in Wellingborough during World War II. There, he met Anita's mother, Florence, who was English. Anita's father traveled between the US and England. He left when Anita was six years old. Her mother raised Anita and her four siblings by herself. Anita's grandparents also helped the family.
A Career in Sprinting
Anita worked in a clothing factory. She trained for her sport in her free time. She was best known as a sprinter. But her first competition for Great Britain was in the long jump in 1966. She also competed for Great Britain in the 1967 European Cup. Anita was the British champion in the 100 metres race in both 1970 and 1971.
At a national competition in Portsmouth, she won the 100 yards race. She also broke the national record with a time of 10.6 seconds. At the same event, she was part of a relay team. This team set a new World Record in the 4 x 110m relay. Anita was invited to Buckingham Palace. She remembered meeting the famous footballer George Best there.
Her hero, Mary Rand, encouraged her. Anita joined the women's athletics club called London Olympiades. She is seen as a very important athlete. She was one of the first black British women to compete in the Olympics.
Competing at the Olympics
Anita competed in two Olympic Games.
- At the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico, she ran in the 100 metres race. She also ran in the 4 x 100-metres relay. She reached the second round in the 100 metres. Her relay team made it to the final race.
- She also competed at the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich. Again, she reached the second round in the 100 metres race. Her relay team also made it to the final.
European Championships Success
In 1969, Anita competed at the 1969 European Athletics Championships in Athens. She won two bronze medals there. One was for the 100 metres race. The other was for the 4 x 100-metres relay.
Commonwealth Games Medal
Anita represented England at the 1970 British Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh. She won a silver medal in the 4 x 100 metres relay race.
Life After Running
Anita had to stop competing when she was 23. This was because she had limited money and training places. She even hid her trophies for a while. When the Olympic torch passed through her hometown, Wellingborough, she was the only Olympic athlete there. But she was not asked to carry the torch. Later, her amazing contributions were recognized.
Anita still lives in Wellingborough. She has taken part in many local events. In 2012, she was a special guest. This was for the opening of the Wellingborough Museum's exhibition about the Olympic Games. A picture of her hangs in the museum. In 2014, she was also a guest of honor. This was for the opening of Knights Court in Wellingborough.
Anita Neil was given a special award. She was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE). This was in the 2024 Birthday Honours. She received this honor for her great service to athletics.
See also
In Spanish: Anita Neil para niños
