Mail have got me the recognition that I’ve missed all these years
Anita Neil’s Olympic trailblazing is finally recognised, half a century after she retired
The British Olympic Association have issued Britain’s first black female Olympian, Anita Neil, with a formal letter of recognition 49 years after her retirement, amid calls to have a street named in her honour.
The 71-year-old — who witnessed the racist abuse aimed at John Carlos and Tommie Smith for their black power salute at the 1968 Mexico City Games and endured numerous barriers — gave her first interview for over 40 years in March, revealing the hurt of ‘being ignored all my life’.
The 100metre sprinter, from Northamptonshire, last represented Great Britain in 1972, and the BOA have now recognised her trailblazing feat thanks to Sportsmail’s report.
They also issued a personal apology for ‘any hurt that has been caused’ by the delayed acclaim and vowed to showcase the ‘hero pioneer’s’ story ahead of the Olympics.
A bespoke illustration of the two-time Olympian has also been created in tribute.
It comes as hundreds of Wellingborough residents join forces to campaign for a street to be named after Neil. The idea was first considered by the council 20 years ago and has now resurfaced.
It is understood the matter is yet to get on the council agenda — owing to last week’s elections — but has not been ruled out.
A delighted Neil said yesterday: ‘It’s been great, the Daily Mail certainly put it out there and brought to light that I was the forgotten first black female Olympian for Britain, and it’s nice that people now acknowledge it.’
On being forgotten, she added: ‘You just live with it. I thought: “Oh well, such is life”.
‘The Mail obviously put it out there and let people know about it.
‘The people of Wellingborough are trying to get a street named after me! It would mean a lot. I want to see it while I’m still around. This story has helped me get the recognition that I felt was missing over all these years.’
A post-nominal certificate from the World Olympians Association is already on the way, allowing
Neil to use the initials ‘OLY’ after her name to signify her career.
By way of formally acknowledging Neil’s achievements, a letter from the BOA, which Sportsmail has seen, lauds a ‘very special achievement and something you should rightly be proud of’. It added: ‘We will do our very best to preserve your story and connect it to the athletes of today.
‘I hope you are able to enjoy this year’s Olympic Games in Tokyo knowing that your legacy will be passed on to the class of 2021.’
A BOA spokesperson said: ‘We’ve called Anita personally to ensure she knows we are sorry for any hurt caused by not recognising her status earlier than we did late last year.
‘It was through the BOA’s research that we were able to confirm Anita’s status as the first known black female to represent GB at the Olympic Games.
‘Going forward, her story will be a prominent feature of our work with athletes on their journey to future Games.’