London 2012 Olympics: One's got stamina... hours after opening ceremony Queen is back

 
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28 July 2012

Team GB athletes had a visit from the Queen today as she was given a tour of the Olympic Park.

Accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh and the Princess Royal and her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, the Queen was shown around the British section of the athletes' village, where around 150 Team GB competitors and delegates lined the pathway to welcome her.

Others looked down from balconies draped with Union flags as the royal visitors were shown the place British sportsmen and women will call home for the next couple of weeks.

Fresh from her starring role in last night's opening ceremony, the Queen was shown inside one of the team members' rooms while the other royals chatted to the athletes.

Team GB basketball player Rose Anderson, 24, said she was too starstruck to talk to the Queen.

She said: "It was brilliant. For her to come through and meet the athletes, and see where we're living, it was amazing.

"She went inside one of the athletes' bedrooms and chatted to us. The Duke of Edinburgh was really friendly as well.

"It was just awesome, especially after last night.

"Last night will never be topped. I'll never get an experience like that again, and then this will never be topped either."

Earlier the royal guests enjoyed a bird's-eye view of the Olympic Park when they visited the top of the towering ArcelorMittal Orbit sculpture.

After taking the lift to the second floor - 377ft (115m) up - the Queen spent a few minutes on the viewing platform from where she could survey the Stratford site below and the capital's skyline beyond.

Dressed in a royal blue silk dress and crepe coat by Stuart Parvin and a matching hat by Rachel Trevor Morgan, the Queen smiled and nodded as Olympic Delivery Authority chairman Sir John Armitt pointed out the different venues to her.

She also wore a jewelled brooch she was given in 1948 - the year the Olympics were last in London - to mark the birth of the Prince of Wales.

Anne - president of the British Olympic Association and a member of the International Olympic Committee - looked sporty in a navy blue blazer jacket, chinos and red Team GB trainers.

Inside the tower, where floor to ceiling glass windows provide a panoramic view across the city, they were joined by London 2012 chairman Lord Coe, London mayor Boris Johnson and steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal, the chief executive of Arcelor Mittal, which funded the structure.

The group was also introduced to award-winning artist Anish Kapoor, who co-created the artwork.

The royal visitors spoke to Games volunteers and ambassadors inside, with the Queen laughing as she was congratulated about her own performance alongside Daniel Craig's James Bond in last night's ceremony.

At the foot of the tower workers could be seen inside the Olympic Stadium clearing away equipment from the show in preparation for the athletics events to come.

The royals moved on for a quick tour of the Aquatics Centre and inside they caught a glimpse of the women's 400m individual medley.

There was a loud cheer for the special spectators as people in the crowd spotted the royal pair by the side of the broadcast cameras. British crowd members waved Union flags in the direction of the monarch.

Before leaving, the Queen examined a model of the uniquely shaped building.

Olympic Delivery Authority project sponsor Ian Crockford said the Queen expressed awe at the space inside the arena.

"When people enter it they realise it is a huge cavern for sport," he said.

"It really opens itself out to be a huge space. It's not easy to understand that from looking at the outside of the building.

"It takes people's breath away when they go inside, they realise the volume of the space. "She said, 'Wow, I can see how it works now'. She was interested in how the stands come down in legacy.

"We're already very busy getting this ready for community use. She was very interested in the structures and the way that the area has been transformed."

The Queen and Philip also met venue manager Rob Abernethy and a few of the volunteer Games Makers.

Mr Abernethy, originally from Sydney, Australia, said: "It was a thrill to have her here today. She asked a few questions about the number of pools and the facility. She met our staff and some volunteers who were only alerted a couple of minutes before that they were going to meet the Queen.

"It was fantastic to watch their reaction to that and I get goosebumps thinking about it."

The royals ended their tour in the vast dining hall in the athletes' village, where cuisine from all over the globe is served up.

Inside, the Queen and Philip spoke to athletes from other nations, including Jess Fox, who represents Australia in the canoe slalom.

She said of the Queen: "She's beautiful. We saw her from afar last night in the stadium but it was amazing to see her like this.

"We were all really excited.

"The Duke of Edinburgh was really friendly, he asked us about what we were competing in and when."

Other royals including the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry, who are Team GB ambassadors, are also expected to visit the Games at some point.

It is likely they will want to see Anne's daughter Zara Phillips as she competes in the equestrian competition in Greenwich Park.

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