UK Sport today unveiled the Summer Olympic element of its four year plan designed to build upon the success of Athens. In order to deliver success in Beijing, UK Sport – the nation’s lead elite sport agency – has developed a 'no compromise’ approach, which underpins its funding decisions.
The upshot is that 14 Olympic sports will receive an enhanced funding settlement between 2005 and 2009, from a total summer Olympic investment of £75m – an increase of £5m over the Sydney to Athens cycle.
The new approach will be more targeted to ensure that athletes with the potential to mount the rostrum in Beijing are offered a full programme of support via their governing body – estimated to be worth an average of £45,000 an athlete per annum on top of their Athlete Personal Award.
Sue Campbell, UK Sport’s Chair explained:
"The advent of the National Lottery backed World Class Performance Programme has enabled us to reach a new level of Olympic and Paralympic success. However, if we are to continue to make progress, we have to sharpen our focus and invest in those sports and individuals who demonstrate that they have what it takes to deliver on the biggest stage."
Liz Nicholl, the organisation’s Acting Chief Executive set out how it would work:
"Our new Investment strategy is designed to reinforce the best performing sports, support those that are developing and provoke positive change in those that are under-performing. The budget is bigger and it needs to be for Beijing, but we must guard against the temptation to spread it too thinly, which presented us with some tough decisions. We must also remember that our ability to invest at this level depends on the British public’s continued willingness to support our sportsmen and women by buying Lottery tickets."
The move was welcomed by the Secretary of State, Tessa Jowell:
"Our athletes did very well in Sydney and Athens, in part as a result of the steady funding they received to assist their training and elite development. But we want to go on and do even better and we will do that by taking an informed, professional view on how the available money can be more effectively targeted and ensuring our athletes have access to an even wider range of technical and other development support.
"In addition to the support of our present generation of elite athletes, we have also established a financial and support pathway for those with real potential. From the 2012 Scholarships, through the Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme and on to the World Class programme, there is now the clear funding structure needed to support our sporting talents right to the top."
UK Sport is also concentrating on other factors which are likely to be critical to a successful Games in 2008, putting an emphasis on developing truly world class systems by investing in people. Coaching is under the spotlight, with UK Sport’s Elite Coach scheme aiming to fast–track the development of up to 60 of the nation’s most promising coaches by 2012. The organisation will also target its research and innovation programmes at 'technical’ sports where equipment can make a difference between success and failure.
"While inevitably people tend to focus on the amount of funding each sport is awarded, our mission is to work with other partner agencies to maximise our collective investment in world-class success. The British Olympic Association, the sports institute network, the governing bodies and home country sports councils are critical partners", added Nicholl.
The awards will take effect from 1 April, 2005 and will run until after the Beijing Games, with every sport undergoing a yearly review. Sports will also be offered transition arrangements, to allow them to adjust to new athlete numbers where necessary.