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The Wimbledon Crowd Gave A Standing Ovation For A Woman Who Helped Develop A COVID Vaccine

"An opening day on Centre Court with a difference."

by Ikran Dahir

BuzzFeed News Reporter

Posted on June 28, 2021, 4:47 pm

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{ "id": 127325643 } Aeltc / POOL/AFP via Getty Images

The Wimbledon crowd stands and applauds for professor Sarah Gilbert, who can be seen wearing a red jacket in the front row.

{ "id": 127324264 }

At Monday's opening day of play on Wimbledon's Centre Court in London, the announcer told the crowd of spectators there were some special guests in attendance.

People who played critical roles in the UK's response to the coronavirus pandemic — from transport workers to medical staffers with Britain's National Health Service — had been invited to sit in the royal box.

But the announcer only made it partially through the list before the crowd reacted.

"Today [the special guests] include leaders who have developed the anti-COVID vaccines," said the announcer, as the camera zoomed in on Dame Sarah Gilbert, a professor of vaccinology at the University of Oxford who led the team that developed the AstraZeneca vaccine.

For her efforts, Gilbert received a damehood earlier this month when she was named on the Queen's birthday honors list.

When the Wimbledon crowd realized who was in attendance, they burst into wild applause that soon became a standing ovation.

{ "id": "1409492721715253251", "params": { "conversation": "none" } } Wimbledon @Wimbledon

An opening day on Centre Court with a difference... A special moment as we say thank you to those who have played such an important role in the response to COVID-19 #Wimbledon

12:43 PM - 28 Jun 2021 Reply Retweet Favorite Twitter: @Wimbledon { "id": 127324264 }

As the cheering continued for more than a minute, Gilbert looked overwhelmed.

People online were extremely moved by a viral video of the standing ovation.

{ "id": "1409509010588512256", "params": { "conversation": "none" } } Liam Thorp