In announcing the revised budget for the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics today, the Government has confirmed that UK Sport is excluded from making any additional payment as part of the further contribution from the National Lottery.
In her statement, Secretary of State Tessa Jowell stated: “No transfer will be made from UK Sport, which is charged with preparing our sportsmen and women for 2008 and 2012.”
Responding to the statement, John Steele, CEO of UK Sport, said:
“It is good that after a period of uncertainty the budget for the Olympics in 2012 has been announced. Finding additional funding was never going to be easy and many of the organizations within the National Lottery will be disappointed to have to contribute more to the overall cost of the Games. Given our crucial role in delivering sporting success in five years time, UK Sport has not been asked to contribute more generally, and this is extremely welcome as our funding is already tied up in supporting our athletes through to 2012.
"It is of concern however that community sport will be significantly affected, with Sport England and the other Home Country Sports Councils being asked to contribute. They are all a vital part of the jigsaw in terms of driving up participation and getting more people active through sport across the country, and we would not want to see their programmes impacted or reduced at this time. Having done so much to create an effective streamlined system for sport, removing resources from any part of it will inevitably affect the whole.”