Mary Peters facts for kids

Lady Mary Elizabeth Peters, born on July 6, 1939, is a famous retired athlete from Northern Ireland. She is known for her amazing achievements in track and field sports. Lady Mary won a gold medal at the 1972 Olympic Games and also earned three gold medals at the Commonwealth Games.

Lady Mary's Amazing Sports Career

Lady Mary Peters was a very talented athlete. She competed in events like the shot put and the pentathlon.

What is the Pentathlon?

The pentathlon is a tough sports event where athletes compete in five different activities. These events test many skills, like running, jumping, and throwing. Lady Mary was incredibly good at all of them!

What is Shot Put?

Shot put is another sport where athletes throw a heavy metal ball as far as they can. It takes a lot of strength and technique. Lady Mary was a champion in this event too.

Olympic and Commonwealth Success

In 1972, Lady Mary achieved her biggest dream. She won a gold medal in the pentathlon at the Olympic Games. This was a huge moment for her and for Northern Ireland. She also won three gold medals at the Commonwealth Games, showing her consistent talent over many years.

Helping Young People Through Sport

After her successful sports career, Lady Mary wanted to help others. She started a special organization called the Mary Peters Trust.

The Mary Peters Trust

The Mary Peters Trust helps young people in Northern Ireland who want to get involved in sports. It gives them support and encouragement to follow their dreams, just like Lady Mary did. The Trust helps young athletes develop their skills and reach their full potential.

Public Service and Special Honours

Lady Mary Peters has also served her community in important ways and received many special awards for her contributions.

Lord Lieutenant of Belfast

From 2009 to 2014, Lady Mary was the Lord Lieutenant of Belfast. This is a special role where she represented the King or Queen in the city. It's a very important position that involves civic duties and supporting local communities.

Prestigious Awards and Recognition

Lady Mary has received some of the highest honours in the United Kingdom. These awards recognize her outstanding achievements and her service to sports and the community.

• In 2000, she was made a Dame of the Order of the British Empire. This is a very high honour for people who have made a big difference.
• In 2015, she became a Companion of Honour. This award is given to a very small number of people for exceptional service.
• In 2019, she was made a Lady Companion of the Order of the Garter. This is the most senior and oldest order of chivalry in Britain, and it's a huge recognition of her lifetime of service.