Jane Allen, Chief Executive of British Gymnastics, said: “British Gymnastics is delighted with the news today that UK Sport has increased their investment in our World Class Programme. We believe that this is a direct result of the outstanding achievements our World Class Programme has accomplished to date and we are grateful for the increased funding, as this will, not only, strengthen the athlete support for 2012, but will also provide a stronger legacy in the World Class Programme going forward to 2016.”
Sally Munday, Chief Executive at GB Hockey, said: ““We’re very pleased with today’s funding announcement for hockey from UK Sport. The confidence shown in our players, our sport and us as the National Governing Body for hockey by UK Sport underlines the progress that has been made in the sport over the past few years and is a positive reflection of the performances and results of our teams on the hockey pitch. Those performances and results have come as a result of well thought out decisions taken four or five years ago, which have been consistently implemented in the years since.
Bryn Vaile, President of British Bob Skeleton, said: “We would like to thank UK Sport for this award and the confidence they have shown in the British Skeleton programme over the last eight years. While delivering three Olympic medals including Gold in Whistler, plus many World Championship and World Cup success we are very aware of this award against the current national economic situation. This award will provide British Skeleton the financial resources to support its performance programme and its athletes while we strive to be the most consistently successful Skeleton nation in the world.”
Gary Hall, Performance Director of Sport Taekwondo UK, said: “Today’s funding announcement by UK Sport is testament to the talented athletes we have within our system, testament to the performances of the past 12 months which has seen us win a record number of gold medals in international competition and testament to the hard work and commitment of all staff within our sport. We must also thank UK Sport and every single person who buys a lottery ticket as without this support achievement at the highest level would not be possible for us. At the moment we do have some gaps in our development pathway and this money and extra support will ensure we can push on and hopefully continue to achieve success both in London and beyond.”
Derek Mapp, Executive Chairman of the British Amateur Boxing Association (BABA), said: “The decision to increase funding for amateur boxing reflects the sport’s potential to deliver podium places at 2012 and the outstanding performances of the male and female squads in 2010 which have seen them win seven medals at the World and European Championships and six at the Commonwealth Games.
“It recognises the superb work done by everyone connected with GB Boxing and the great leadership of our Performance Director, Rob McCracken, who has transformed the fortunes of the squad since he took the reins in November 2009. The additional funding will enhance our long term strategic objectives and enable us to consider our post-2012 plans and ensure that we continue build a platform to deliver sustainable success for amateur boxing.”
David Pond, Chief Executive of GB Wheelchair Rugby, said: “This is great news for Wheelchair Rugby and its elite athletes. We appreciate that all funding decisions are particularly difficult in these challenging economic times but the continued support from UK Sport and the National Lottery is vital and provides us with the platform to really challenge for a medal in 2012.”
Adrian Christy, Chief Executive of BADMINTON England who manage the GB Badminton programme, He said: “We accept that the cuts are a consequence of being in a results driven environment and whilst the outcome of the Investment Review is disappointing, we believe it is a fair reflection on recent world level performances overall. We have recognised the need to act now to lay the right foundations for the future and to that end a strategic review of the 2012 and 2016 programmes is under way. We are delighted UK Sport has reiterated their belief in our 2016 potential – as demonstrated by the increased number of player places available on the Development level of the programme.”
Stuart Horsepool, Performance Director of the GB Short Track Speed Skating programme, said: “In the present financial climate, post the Government’s Comprehensive Spending Review and with London 2012 drawing ever closer, UK Sport, with this award, has shown commitment to winter sports, bringing us in line with our summer counterparts.
“Now it is up to us to deliver in Sochi 2014 and beyond. This award will give a positive message of support to the skaters and their support staff within the short track speed skating programme.”
British Bobsleigh, post Vancouver, has made huge changes to its World Class Performance Programme and the new board recognised that these changes were much needed. We would like to thank UK Sport for their commitment to British Bobsleigh and are delighted that they have shown confidence in our plans for the next Olympic Cycle.
Gary Anderson, Performance Director at British Bobsleigh, said: "British Bobsleigh now has one objective and that is to reach the podium in Sochi 2014. We will leave no stone unturned in this quest. This investment award will allow us to operate on a world class basis and now really compete on a technical level with the leading nations.
"British Bobsleigh has always needed the level of funding that is now available to be competitive and as an organisation, we realise that it is now down to us to prove that point. We will continue to operate on a "no-compromise" approach to performance and continue to constantly challenge athletes to be the best in the world. Everyone now expects us now to deliver and we in the sport will do everything in our power to achieve success at International level, both in the run up to Sochi and beyond.