About UK Sport
Jessica Ennis
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Established by Royal Charter in 1997, UK Sport is responsible for investing around £100 million of public funds each year – from both the National Lottery and the Exchequer – in high performance sport. This money is now supplemented by the income from a private sponsorship scheme 'Team 2012'.
Accountable to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), UK Sport has a very clear remit at the ‘top end’ of Britain’s sporting pathway, with no direct involvement in community or school sport.
Based in London, it employs around 90 staff and is overseen by the UK Sport Board, comprising home country representatives and independent members, which meets every two months.
Find out more about UK Sport in Introducing UK Sport.
Core Responsibilities
Performance
UK Sport is the strategic lead body for high performance sport in the UK. It invests Exchequer and National Lottery funds in Britain’s best Olympic and Paralympic sports and athletes to maximise their chances of success on the world stage. For London and beyond, a third stream of private sector funding - Team 2012 - complements this public investment.
Using a ‘No Compromise’ philosophy which targets investment at those most likely to deliver medals at Olympic and Paralympic level, UK Sport works with each sport to provide the best possible support for athletes, providing everything they need from world-class coaches to cutting edge research and innovation, talent identification and Performance Lifestyle support.
Major Events
UK Sport co-ordinates the bidding and staging of major international sporting events in the UK. Working in partnership with national governing bodies, cities and regions and home country agencies, over 120 events of World and European status have been supported through the World Class Events Programme since 1997.
Around £16 million will be invested in the 09-12 programme which has been specifically developed to help prepare the UK for hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2012. This programme will not only provide British athletes with valuable experience of competing on home soil ahead of London 2012, but will also help build up a network of suitably qualified volunteers and technical officials.
International
UK Sport's Mission
UK Sport works in partnership to lead sport in the UK to world-class success
UK Sport works with National Governing Bodies and other partner organisations to help them build positive working relationships with International Federations and other international bodies. This helps ensure Britain has a voice on the world stage by assisting with the appointment of individuals into key roles at such organisations.
Furthermore, UK Sport’s well-established International Development assistance programme is recognised worldwide. UK Sport is the lead delivery agency for International Inspiration, the project which aims to deliver on the promise made by the London 2012 bid team to ‘reach young people all around the world and connect them to the inspirational power of the Games so they are inspired to choose sport’.
