Anita Neil

Doris Anita Neil  (born 5 April 1950) is a retired British international sprinter. In 1968, she became the first black British woman Olympian. From an impoverished family Neil was forced to rely on charity to travel to competitions and obtain equipment. Eventually the lack of a coach, insufficient training facilities, and having to support her family financially saw Neil forced into early retirement at just 23 years old.

Early life
Anita Neil was born in Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, to an African-American father and a white English mother. Neil’s father was a staff sergeant with the United States Army stationed in Wellingborough during World War II, where he met her mother, Florence, a local woman. Neil’s father, who travelled back and forth between the US and England, left when she was six. In his absence Neil’s mother raised their five children single-handed with the support of Neil’s grandparents.

Career
Neil worked as a machinist in a clothing factory and trained in her spare time. Known primarily as a sprinter, Neil's first competition for Great Britain was in the long jump in 1966. She competed for GB in the 1967 European Cup. Neil was British champion in 100 metres in 1970 and 1971.

At a national competition in Portsmouth, she won the 100 yards and broke the national record (10.6 seconds). At the same meet she was part of the 4 x 110m relay team who set a World Record. Neil was invited to Buckingham Palace which she remembered because she met George Best.

She was encourage by her hero Mary Rand and she became a member of the women's athletics club London Olympiades. She is considered 'a pioneer in the first generation of Black British female Olympic Athletes'. :319

Olympics
She competed in the 100 metres and the 4 x 100-metres relay at the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico. She progressed to the second round in the 100 metres and to the final in the relay.

She also competed at the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich. Again she progressed to the second round in the 100 metres and to the final in the relay.

European Championships
In 1969, she competed at the European Athletics Championships in Athens, where she won bronze medals in the 100 metres as well as in 4 x 100-metres relay. :205

Commonwealth Games
Neil represented England at the 1970 British Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh and won a silver medal in the 4 x 100 metres relay.

Later life
When she was 23 she had to retire to lack of money and facilities and she hid her trophies. When the Olympic torch passed through her home town of Wellingborough she was the only Olympic athlete and she wasn't asked to carry it. Only later was she recognised for her contribution.

Neil continues to live in Wellingborough and has participated in local events. In 2012, she was a guest of honour at the opening of the Wellingborough Museum's exhibition on the Olympic Games. A portrait of her hangs in the museum. She also served as guest of honour at the official opening of the Knights Court in Wellingborough in 2014.

Neil was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2024 Birthday Honours for services to athletics.