The Winklevoss twins, Cameron and Tyler, known as figures in the tech industry, took part in the rowing event at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
From royalty and politicians to actors and wrestlers, here’s a look at some well-known celebrities who have competed in the Olympics.
Leading the pack are two members of British royalty — Princess Anne and her daughter Zara Tindall. Princess Anne made history in 1976 as the first member of the British Royal Family to compete in the Olympics. She participated in the equestrian three-day event on her mother’s horse, Goodwill, but finished in 24th place. However, her daughter Zara Tindall found Olympic success in 2012, winning a silver medal for Team GB in the equestrian team event.
Caitlyn Jenner, formerly known as Bruce Jenner, might be more recognized today for her role in the reality show “Keeping Up With the Kardashians.” But before that, she had a successful career as a decathlete. Jenner achieved Olympic glory in 1976, winning the gold medal in the decathlon at the Montreal Games. This victory came four years after placing tenth in the same event at the 1972 Olympics.
Fans of the James Bond franchise will recognize Harold Sakata as the villain Oddjob from the film “Goldfinger.” Before his acting career, Sakata was a successful weightlifter who competed for the United States in the light-heavyweight division. He secured a silver medal at the 1948 London Games, lifting a total of 380 kg. Sakata also had a prolific career as a professional wrestler, winning several titles across North America.
Another wrestler who made his mark on the Olympic stage is Kurt Angle. This WWE Hall of Famer defied incredible odds by winning gold in freestyle wrestling at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. Remarkably, he achieved this feat while battling a broken neck he sustained during the Olympic trials. After his wrestling career peaked, Angle transitioned to professional wrestling in 1999 and quickly became a global sensation.
The Winklevoss twins, Cameron and Tyler, are better known today as figures in the tech industry. They famously sued Mark Zuckerberg in 2004, claiming he stole the idea for Facebook from them. However, before their tech ventures, they were competitive rowers. Despite their legal battle with Zuckerberg, they competed in the men’s coxless pair rowing event at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, finishing in sixth place.
Star Wars fans may not be aware of Bob Anderson’s contribution to the franchise. Although James Earl Jones voiced Darth Vader and Hayden Christensen portrayed him in later films, Anderson served as a body double for the lightsaber fights in both “The Empire Strikes Back” and “Return of the Jedi.” Beyond his work in Hollywood, Anderson was a highly skilled fencer who competed for Great Britain at the 1952 Helsinki Games. While he didn’t secure a medal, he finished fifth in the team sabre event.
Ming Campbell, once the leader of the Liberal Democrat party in the UK, had a surprising past life as a successful sprinter. Earning the nickname “the fastest white man alive,” Campbell clocked in at a blistering 10.2 seconds in the 100m race twice in 1967, even beating OJ Simpson in one of those races. He represented Great Britain in athletics and served as the team captain between 1965 and 1966. Despite his accolades, his Olympic experience was limited to the 4 x 100m relay race where the British team finished last.
Ming Campbell, once the leader of the Liberal Democrat party in the UK, had a surprising past life as a successful sprinter // Picture Courtesy — Daily Mail
Jessica Springsteen, daughter of music icon Bruce Springsteen, has carved her own path as a champion showjumper. Her talent landed her a spot on the US Olympic team for the Tokyo 2020 Games. While she didn’t reach the individual jumping final, she had another shot at a medal in the team jumping event.
Another athlete whose surname might sound familiar is Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix, daughter of Fred Sirieix, the French maitre d’ on the popular dating show “First Dates.” The The sixteen-year-old sensation reached the final of the individual women’s 10m platform event on her Olympic debut in Tokyo. Despite her young age and the immense pressure of the Olympic stage, Spendolini-Sirieix demonstrated remarkable composure and talent, ultimately finishing in seventh place.
