Mary Glen-Haig
Encyclopedia
Dame
Mary Alison Glen-Haig DBE
(born 12 July 1918) is a British fencer
who competed in four Olympic games in 1948, 1952, 1956 and 1960. She was born in London, the daughter of William James, a fencer at the 1908 London Olympics. She began competing professionally in 1937 and continued until 1960, during which time she won two gold medals at the Commonwealth Games
and competed in four Olympics in the women's individual foil events. She was the first female member of the International Olympic Committee and was knighted in 1993. Since London's successful bid for the 2012 Summer Olympics
in 2005, she has been active as the host nation's ambassador to the games.
in London. Her brother and sister took up tennis, like their mother. Her interest in fencing arose from time spent with her father, and she often trained and practised with him.
She began participating in regional and world championships in 1937 and continued to be active in these tournaments until 1959. She first qualified for the Olympic Games in 1948, the second time that they were held in her hometown of London. The evening before she was to participate in these games, she was still working at King's College Hospital
, as there was no true Olympic Village
at these games.
competition, she reached the finals, but did not medal, placing 8th. She competed in the same event in at the 1952
, 1956
and 1960 Summer Olympics
, as well as in the Women's Foil, Team
in 1960, but never again reached the finals. She claims to have never worried whether or not she actually won a medal. During this time, Glen-Haig also participated in the British Empire Games (later the Commonwealth Games
) from 1950–1958. She won gold medals in the fencing competition in both 1950 and 1954.
, where she worked at a hospital as district administrator from 1974 until 1982, the year that she was made the first female member of the International Olympic Committee
. She was also Chairman of the Central Council of Physical Recreation during the 1970s. She continued to fence until her mid-to-late 70s. As an IOC representative she supervised the first edition of the Women's Islamic Games
in February 1993 and ensured the smooth running of the competitions. 407 athletes in eight different sports took part in the first edition of the Games from such countries as Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Malaysia, Syria and Iran. As of 2008, she is an honourary member of the IOC.
Glen-Haig was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 1971 Queen's Birthday Honours
, promoted to Commander (CBE) in the 1977 New Year Honours
, and Dame Commander (DBE) in the 1993 New Year Honours. At the conclusion of the 2004 Summer Olympics
, Glen-Haig recited the English version of an ode in praise of Athens
. As of 2008, she is serving as the ambassador from Britain to the 2012 Summer Olympics
, which will also be held in London.
Dame (title)
The title of Dame is the female equivalent of the honour of knighthood in the British honours system . It is also the equivalent form address to 'Sir' for a knight...
Mary Alison Glen-Haig DBE
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
(born 12 July 1918) is a British fencer
Fencing
Fencing, which is also known as modern fencing to distinguish it from historical fencing, is a family of combat sports using bladed weapons.Fencing is one of four sports which have been featured at every one of the modern Olympic Games...
who competed in four Olympic games in 1948, 1952, 1956 and 1960. She was born in London, the daughter of William James, a fencer at the 1908 London Olympics. She began competing professionally in 1937 and continued until 1960, during which time she won two gold medals at the Commonwealth Games
Commonwealth Games
The Commonwealth Games is an international, multi-sport event involving athletes from the Commonwealth of Nations. The event was first held in 1930 and takes place every four years....
and competed in four Olympics in the women's individual foil events. She was the first female member of the International Olympic Committee and was knighted in 1993. Since London's successful bid for the 2012 Summer Olympics
2012 Summer Olympics
The 2012 Summer Olympic Games, officially known as the "London 2012 Olympic Games", are scheduled to take place in London, England, United Kingdom from 27 July to 12 August 2012...
in 2005, she has been active as the host nation's ambassador to the games.
Early life
Glen-Haig was born as Mary Alison James on 12 July 1918 in London. Her father, William James, was a competitor in fencing at the 1908 Summer Olympics1908 Summer Olympics
The 1908 Summer Olympics, officially the Games of the IV Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event which was held in 1908 in London, England, United Kingdom. These games were originally scheduled to be held in Rome. At the time they were the fifth modern Olympic games...
in London. Her brother and sister took up tennis, like their mother. Her interest in fencing arose from time spent with her father, and she often trained and practised with him.
She began participating in regional and world championships in 1937 and continued to be active in these tournaments until 1959. She first qualified for the Olympic Games in 1948, the second time that they were held in her hometown of London. The evening before she was to participate in these games, she was still working at King's College Hospital
King's College Hospital
King's College Hospital is an acute care facility in the London Borough of Lambeth, referred to locally and by staff simply as "King's" or abbreviated internally to "KCH"...
, as there was no true Olympic Village
Olympic Village
An Olympic Village is an accommodation centre built for an Olympic Games, usually within an Olympic Park or elsewhere in a host city. Olympic Villages are built to house all participating athletes, as well as officials, athletic trainers, and other staff. Since the Munich Massacre at the 1972...
at these games.
Olympic career
The night before she was due to compete, Glen-Haig slept on a camp bed in a room with two other women. In the Women's Foil, IndividualFencing at the 1948 Summer Olympics
At the 1948 Summer Olympics, seven fencing events were contested, six for men and one for women.-Medal summary:-Medal table:-Participating nations:A total of 294 fencers from 30 nations competed at the London Games:...
competition, she reached the finals, but did not medal, placing 8th. She competed in the same event in at the 1952
1952 Summer Olympics
The 1952 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XV Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event held in Helsinki, Finland in 1952. Helsinki had been earlier given the 1940 Summer Olympics, which were cancelled due to World War II...
, 1956
1956 Summer Olympics
The 1956 Melbourne Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XVI Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event which was held in Melbourne, Australia, in 1956, with the exception of the equestrian events, which could not be held in Australia due to quarantine regulations...
and 1960 Summer Olympics
1960 Summer Olympics
The 1960 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XVII Olympiad, was an international multi-sport event held from August 25 to September 11, 1960 in Rome, Italy...
, as well as in the Women's Foil, Team
Fencing at the 1960 Summer Olympics
At the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome, eight events in fencing were contested. Men competed in both individual and team events for each of the three weapon types , but women competed only in foil events.-Medal summary:...
in 1960, but never again reached the finals. She claims to have never worried whether or not she actually won a medal. During this time, Glen-Haig also participated in the British Empire Games (later the Commonwealth Games
Commonwealth Games
The Commonwealth Games is an international, multi-sport event involving athletes from the Commonwealth of Nations. The event was first held in 1930 and takes place every four years....
) from 1950–1958. She won gold medals in the fencing competition in both 1950 and 1954.
Later life
Glen-Haig eventually moved to West Kensington, LondonWest Kensington, London
- Commercial/education :Local business consists of small shops, offices and restaurants, with the Olympia Exhibition Centre nearby. Indeed, it is the mix of local shops that give the area its character....
, where she worked at a hospital as district administrator from 1974 until 1982, the year that she was made the first female member of the International Olympic Committee
International Olympic Committee
The International Olympic Committee is an international corporation based in Lausanne, Switzerland, created by Pierre de Coubertin on 23 June 1894 with Demetrios Vikelas as its first president...
. She was also Chairman of the Central Council of Physical Recreation during the 1970s. She continued to fence until her mid-to-late 70s. As an IOC representative she supervised the first edition of the Women's Islamic Games
Women's Islamic Games
The Women's Islamic Games is an international multi-sport event started in 1993. The event is organised by the Islamic Federation of Women's Sport ....
in February 1993 and ensured the smooth running of the competitions. 407 athletes in eight different sports took part in the first edition of the Games from such countries as Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Malaysia, Syria and Iran. As of 2008, she is an honourary member of the IOC.
Glen-Haig was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 1971 Queen's Birthday Honours
Queen's Birthday Honours
The Queen's Birthday Honours is a part of the British honours system, being a civic occasion on the celebration of the Queen's Official Birthday in which new members of most Commonwealth Realms honours are named. The awards are presented by the reigning monarch or head of state, currently Queen...
, promoted to Commander (CBE) in the 1977 New Year Honours
New Year Honours
The New Year Honours is a part of the British honours system, being a civic occasion on the New Year annually in which new members of most Commonwealth Realms honours are named. The awards are presented by the reigning monarch or head of state, currently Queen Elizabeth II...
, and Dame Commander (DBE) in the 1993 New Year Honours. At the conclusion of the 2004 Summer Olympics
2004 Summer Olympics
The 2004 Summer Olympic Games, officially known as the Games of the XXVIII Olympiad, was a premier international multi-sport event held in Athens, Greece from August 13 to August 29, 2004 with the motto Welcome Home. 10,625 athletes competed, some 600 more than expected, accompanied by 5,501 team...
, Glen-Haig recited the English version of an ode in praise of Athens
Athens
Athens , is the capital and largest city of Greece. Athens dominates the Attica region and is one of the world's oldest cities, as its recorded history spans around 3,400 years. Classical Athens was a powerful city-state...
. As of 2008, she is serving as the ambassador from Britain to the 2012 Summer Olympics
2012 Summer Olympics
The 2012 Summer Olympic Games, officially known as the "London 2012 Olympic Games", are scheduled to take place in London, England, United Kingdom from 27 July to 12 August 2012...
, which will also be held in London.