Princess Anne expressed her keen interest in the iconic 90s TV show, Gladiators, during a recent MBE ceremony at Windsor Castle. Former GB pole vaulter and Gladiators’ star, Kate Staples, known as Zodiac, revealed that Princess Anne was captivated by the show and had watched it before. Staples, who received her MBE from the Princess Royal, shared that Anne was intrigued by her dual involvement in Gladiators and Olympic qualification.
Having competed on Gladiators from 1993 to 1996, Staples made history by becoming the first British woman to clear three meters in 1992 and set numerous British and Commonwealth records. Unfortunately, her competitive career came to an end after she suffered a severe neck injury during a Pole-Axe event on the show.
During their conversation, Princess Anne and Staples discussed the importance of promoting sports among children. The Princess, a former Olympic equestrian competitor and current British member of the International Olympic Committee, highlighted the significance of encouraging youth participation in athletic activities. Zara, Anne’s daughter, also achieved success in equestrian team eventing at the 2012 London Olympics.
Staples, now dedicated to fostering grassroots athletics among youngsters, emphasized the value of getting children active through partnerships with schools and local communities. She mentioned plans to establish new academies and initiatives to support underprivileged children, aiming to utilize existing tracks for community engagement and parental involvement. Princess Anne appreciated the efforts to create safe and inclusive spaces for families to come together and support youth sports development.
